Promoting STEM Literacy in 21st Century Education

This research paper focuses on the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Literacy in American Education. Specifically, the research paper focuses on different strategies that can be used to incorporate literacy into the science and math classrooms. There are five different strategies presented for each content area and they were all suggested by a variety of Educational Journals. Along with literacy strategies, there is another part of the research paper that focuses on the importance of innovative experiences in the science and math classrooms that incorporate principles of engineering and technology. The importance of this is not only to promote critical thinking skills, but more so, to allow students to make connections with the content material and gain an interest in science and math related careers. To focus on the importance of engineering and technology in the science and math classrooms, research was conducted using Educational Journals and through interviewing two people who have knowledge on how to do this. Specifically, a retired engineer from General Motors was interviewed, He provided information on how General Motors promotes STEM literacy and his thoughts and knowledge on the topic. Along with this professional, a technology teacher from a Detroit Metropolitan middle school was interviewed. He talked about how he uses innovative projects that allow students to think critically and be engaged, while simultaneously using science and math skills. The main purpose of this paper is to provide future educators with not only ideas, but more so, the importance of STEM literacy in science and math classrooms and how it will have an impact on their students in the future