1. What is STEM Education? Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

2. SCIENCE The study of the natural world, including the laws of nature associated with physics, chemistry, and biology. The treatment or application of facts, principles, concepts or conventions associated with these disciplines.

3. Technology Comprises the entire system of people and organizations, knowledge, processes, and devices that go toward creating and operating technological artifacts, as well as the artifacts themselves.

4. Engineering A body of knowledge about the design and creation of products and a process for solving problems. Engineering utilizes concepts in science and mathematics and technological tools.

5. Mathematics The study of patterns and relationships among quantities, numbers and shapes. Mathematics includes theoretical mathematics and applied mathematics.

6. STEM: The Whole is more than the sum of the parts! STEM education can be an interdisciplinary or trans-disciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world problem-based and performance- based lessons. STEM education transforms the teacher- centered classroom by encouraging curriculum driven by problem-solving, discovery, and exploration. STEM education requires students to actively engage in a situation in order to find its solution.

7. STEM in the Elementary Grades Provides the introductory and foundational STEM courses that lead to success in challenging and applied courses in secondary grades. Introduces awareness of STEM fields and occupations Stimulates student interest in “wanting to” rather than “having to” take further STEM related courses. Provides standards-based, structured project based learning that interconnects STEM subjects.

8. California STEM Education Crisis? Recent Public Policy Institute of CA reports that current rates of education are not on track to meet California’s overall need for college-educated workers in STEM.