Calls for improvements to math, science education

The other day we got the news that girls are doing as well as boys on math tests.

And earlier this week, the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee heard from experts on the need for improved math and science education.

Rep. George Miller, a California Democrat who chairs the committee, said, "America won’t be able to maintain our great legacy of innovation and discovery, let alone compete in today’s global economy, unless we make investing in math and science education a top priority."

"When both girls and boys are encouraged to pursue their interests, they are inspired to think about their futures and are better prepared to pursue a wide range of exciting opportunities in high school, college and beyond," said Sally Ride, a former astronaut who was the first American woman in space and head of STEM, an organization that focuses on helping students pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.

Golfer Phil Mickelson talked at the hearing Tuesday about the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, an organization he founded with his wife that helps teachers find creative ways to teach math and science .

"Hands-on demonstrations and exercises not only help to bring math and science concepts to life, but also work to pique the teachers’ natural curiosity and awaken their sense of inquiry and problem-solving, also helping them to see these concepts through their students’ perspective," Mickelson said.

The committee also heard from Ramona Chang, the director of curriculum for the Torrance Unified School District, where teachers have participated in the Mickelson Teachers Academy.

"If our students are to become our future engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians and environmentalists, we need to change the way we approach the teaching of math and science," she said.

The people testifying urged lawmakers to fund education and job training for students in STEM.

-- Mary MacVean

Comments

[CSEWI]

Our nation and the state of California are facing a high decline in education and workforce development in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) . Thousands of programs have been developed to address aspects of the STEM workforce pipeline, via after school programs, teacher development programs, lessons learned, plans and more. The California Space Education & Workforce Institute with the assistance of the Department of Labor and other supporters have created the California STEM inventory. This has been created as "the place" to go to research, rate, and find existing STEM programs from "pre-K to grey" -- available to Californians.

To visit the STEM Inventory please go to www.csewi.org/stem