Written by: Jeffrey L. Boney There has been a lot of buzz surrounding the Academy Award-nominated film Hidden Figures, which features an all-star cast of professionals who bring to life on the big screen the lives of three African American women (Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson). The math and STEM-related contributions of these three […]
Coronavirus Hard on Students With Limited Resources
Written by: Reagan Flowers, PhD The complete impact of the Coronavirus remains to be seen. Across the board, our efforts as a nation to keep our country safe are already having a significant impact on education. The announcements of school closings keep coming, and the dates for projected reopening continue to be extended. The hardest […]
Preparing Students for a Changing Workplace
Written by: Reagan Flowers, PhD The days of slow-paced change, data kept in hard copy files, and only some workers needing to learn new technology, are long gone. Today’s students require different skill-sets and the changing workplace continues to outpace many schools, leaving students unprepared to enter the workplace right out of high school. Something […]
We’ve Got Work to Do
Written by: Reagan Flowers, PhD As a nation, we are making strides in STEM education, but there is still more work to be done. In the last decade, two million STEM jobs have been created in the United States. Which means there are two million new opportunities to bring about needed change in the […]
Ignite Passion for STEM with Reading
Written by: Dr. Reagan Flowers, PhD Though many activities associated with STEM are implemented through hands-on activity, reading is still a crucial skill for students. First, reading can help students discover which areas of science, technology, math, and engineering excite them. Second, it provides a crucial base of knowledge for engaging in these areas. […]
Why Kids Need STEM Early and Often
Written by: Reagan Flowers, PhD Beginning STEM education when a child is very young is a natural fit, not only because of a young child’s curiosity, but also because of the way a young brain develops.We learn throughout our lives by creating connections in our brains. Several factors affect these connections. We create new connections […]
Digital World Results in New Career Paths
Written by: Reagan Flowers, PhD Twenty years ago, we were skeptical about even making a purchase on a computer, but today we store payment information, passwords and a wealth of personal information on laptops, phones and “in the cloud.” Hackers make fortunes stealing this information, and cybersecurity has become essential to prevent this from […]
STEM Serves Key Role for Students with Disabilities
Written by: Reagan Flowers, PhD At C-STEM, we stand firmly behind the belief that every child deserves access to the education he or she needs. We often talk about barriers students face in terms of economic means, geographic location, lack of technology, and underfunded schools. Students with disabilities face everyday obstacles on top of these […]
Summer was Made for STEM
Written by: Reagan Flowers, PhD Throughout the year, educators work hard to give their students the STEM foundation they need to prepare for successful futures. The summer months may be a time to rest and relax, but parents can also help their children prepare for the upcoming school year with STEM activities during the break. […]
More Than Ever, Our Youth are the Future
Written by: Reagan Flowers, PhD It’s no secret that our planet’s natural resources have been declining at an increasingly alarming rate. A recent study showed that the effects of pollution and destruction of nature could quickly reach a critical point, in just decades. Tomorrow’s leaders could be directly responsible for ensuring the resources that fill […]
STEM Plays a Role in All Paths
Written By: Reagan Flowers, PhD C-STEM works with students, parents, teachers, and community partners to ensure every student has access to the best STEM education possible. Innovation and Technology are the future, and it continues to evolve every day, so the mission of C-STEM is crucial for every child, not just those who plan […]
Standardized Testing: Ready, or, Not
Written by: Reagan Flowers, PhD Alarms are going off here in Texas, as otherwise good students find themselves falling behind on state tests. {i} These tests measure knowledge two grades above the student’s current grade level, and poor performance can lead to measures as drastic as being retained a grade. So the question arises: do […]