STEM? NOT!

Forewarning...this post is not about differentiation...and very much about a frustration, I am feeling.

Let us talk...STEM or STEAM....
         It is the catchword of education right now.  If you mention it in a blog, Pinterest board, lesson then it is an immediate download, & liked a few hundred times. You get the gist! STEM is the bee's knees right now.

UNFORTUNATELY....many are labeling items as STEM or STEAM and it isn't.
My frustration,
        **Too many times, good strategies, educational techniques, etc. go to the way of "that didn't work" when it is diluted, used incorrectly, and slapped as a label on anything that might come close.

I see this happening with STEM.
Science 
Technology
Engineering
Math

STEM is NOT just having unconnected lessons or activities for each subject. 
STEM is NOT an experiment.
STEM is NOT just opening a computer and coding.
STEM is NOT cutesy activities.
STEM is NOT a prescribed step by step lesson where all students are going to end up with the same outcome.

SO WHAT IS IT THEN....
It is integrating the subjects to show that life isn't put into individual boxes.
It is looking for problems that can be solved using knowledge and study using all these subjects.
It is creatively producing a solution by engineering new or adjusted products.
It is using each discipline to enhance the learning, producing, and reporting a solution to the problem set forth.

I think the biggest misunderstanding is that you can separate out the disciplines or make it controlled.
You as the facilitating educator, have a great opportunity to ask questions, watch great minds develop remarkable solutions that may be completely new or a re-envisioned old solution. Give the ultimate answer to the question, "Why do I need to learn this anyway?"  When we give our students the time to analyze, strategize, synthesis, and create...they answer that question for themselves while developing problem-solving strategies rather than expecting the world to solve their problems for themselves. I don't know about you, BUT those are the students I want to send out into the future.