Blog 18: Third Answer

How best can an organization like FIRST keep students K-12 interested STEM?

Answer 3: One of the best ways FIRST can keep students in K-12 interested in STEM is by working toward promoting better more effective teaching in schools.

1. Students lose interest in Mathematics because of something known as Math Anxiety which in laymans terms is anxiety over not understanding math and in turn deciding to ignore math leading to a further misunderstanding of the subject.  For example, if you had trouble in Mr. Hedman's class and you didn't seek help then and you never learned the topic, you won't be good at physics now which will cause you to be left even further behind.

2. Good classroom teaching fosters lifetime curiosity and pursuit of STEM topics and undergraduate studies and K-12 learning are inexplicably linked to one another. To foster K-12 STEM interest is to create STEM majors in college.

For example: If we had an awesome robotics program at the school, i would be more likely to become an engineer major in college because of what i learned in robotics. 

3. The focus falls on the teachers to provide engaging and smarter lesson plans that foster a yearning in students to learn and to do this we must first educate these amazing teachers in school so that they may one day pass on their passion to their students.

For example: if Isabel continues on the path of becoming a math teacher as her senior project entails, then she will take her passion and bring it to the school she will eventually teach in and inspire kids to be more interested in Math.

Sources: 

Advisory Committee. "New Expectations for Undergraduate Education in STEM." NSF.gov. National Science Foundation, 3 Oct. 1996. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.

Fairweather, James. Linking Evidence and Promising Practices in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Undergraduate Education. N.p.: Michigan State Univeristy, n.d. Print

Committee on STEM Education. "Federal STEM Education 5 Year Plan." Whitehouse.gov. Committee on STEM Education, May 2013. Web. 07 Mar. 2014.

National Science and Technology Council. "COORDINATING FEDERAL SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) EDUCATION INVESTMENTS: PROGRESS REPORT." Whitehouse.gov. National Science and Technology Council, Feb. 2012. Web. 07 Mar. 2014

National Science and Technology Council. "THE FEDERAL SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS(STEM) EDUCATION PORTFOLIO." Whitehouse.gov. National Science and Technology Council, Dec. 2011. Web. 07 Mar. 2014.

In conclusion: Better teaching in schools and of teachers as a result of the promotion through FIRST will provide more proactive STEM majors and STEM involvement in the K-12 level. 

Blog 17: Fourth Interview Questions

Content:

Post 20 open-ended questions for approval you want to ask an expert in the field of your senior project.  The focus of your questions should be on your many answers.   

1. How best can an organization like FIRST keep students K-12 interested STEM?

2. What makes FIRST different from other programs?

3. Do you think the progression of programs does an effective job of keeping students interested in STEM?

4. What do you think it is about FIRST or any other type of programs that keeps kids interested?

5. How important is STEM to the lives of these kids and the future?

6. Why do you volunteer and what kind of difference do you think you make?

7. How do you think we should begin to get America's youth back into STEM related topics?

8. Once students have started in a younger aged program, what is the best way to help them stay in the more senior programs?
9. As a mentor, whats in it for you that keeps you coming back for more?
10. What kind qualifications did you need or did you have to be a part of this and how or why did your team start?
11. What is it about the spirit of competition that just gets kids and students alike so riled up about these robots?
12. What got you involved in FTC and how has it changed you?
13. What is the most important thing that the kids you mentor take away from this experience?

14. What have you heard recently about STEM programs and what do you think about the current state of the programs that they are in today?

15. Why is it important that FIRST programs progress along with K-12 Education?

16. Which is the most important program that students get involved in?

17. Who funds FIRST? and for what purpose?

18. What is the ultimate goal of FIRST and how do they achieve it through their educational programs?

19. How do programs like these benefit the community and the students?

20. What is most important is provoking STEM interested children to pursuing a STEM related career?