{"id":57562,"date":"2023-03-23T09:00:13","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T13:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.samsung.com\/us\/?p=57562"},"modified":"2023-11-22T13:52:30","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T18:52:30","slug":"stem-education-programs-rise-above-culture-war-issues-says-samsung-solve-for-tomorrow-survey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.samsung.com\/us\/samsung-solve-for-tomorrow-survey-stem-education-program-rise-above-culture-war-issues","title":{"rendered":"STEM Education Programs Rise Above \u201cCulture War\u201d Issues says Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Survey"},"content":{"rendered":"
Despite Challenges of Staffing Shortages & Burnout, Nearly 60% of Teachers Say That STEM Education Offers Unique Rewards<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

The positive impacts that U.S. public schools and their communities enjoy from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs<\/a> were underscored in a new survey conducted among some of the nation\u2019s leading middle and high school STEM educators<\/a>. Nearly 60% of teachers indicate that although teaching STEM<\/a> is challenging \u2013 it offers educators unique rewards by engaging their student\u2019s curiosity and enhancing their motivation, according to Samsung Solve for Tomorrow<\/a>\u2019s \u201cThe State of STEM Education\u201d survey.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the study finds that STEM education<\/a> has been insulated from controversial issues (35%) \u2013 with 65% reporting that local school boards and communities<\/a> are either \u201cgenerally supportive\u201d of STEM<\/a> in their school or that the success of the STEM program<\/a> has been a \u201csolid positive\u201d with the community<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"samsung-solve-for-tomorrow-logo-sft\"<\/p>\n

Teachers also told us that implementing the Problem-Based Learning (PBL)<\/a> techniques utilized in their Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM projects<\/a> helped counteract the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on education at their schools. Among respondents, 46% agreed that by helping students see that their work can have an impact outside of the classroom and in their communities PBL has been a strong antidote to COVID-induced feelings of isolation, helplessness, and anxiety about the state of the world.<\/p>\n

In December 2022 and January 2023, Samsung<\/a> polled nearly 430 U.S. educators who led their school\u2019s efforts in entering the company\u2019s annual Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition<\/a>, which is currently in its 13th year<\/a>. Solve for Tomorrow<\/a> challenges U.S. public school students in grades 6-12 to explore the role STEM can play in solving some of the biggest issues in their local communities<\/a>. The competition requires participating students and teachers to engage in active, hands-on learning<\/a> that can be applied to real-world problems \u2013 making STEM more tangible and showcasing its value beyond the classroom<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Among the survey\u2019s top-line findings:<\/p>\n

Responding teachers agreed that within their schools, STEM education is perceived as a \u201cvaluable contribution to our education mission\u201d (74%) and a \u201cdoorway to tomorrow\u2019s opportunity for a diverse student cadre\u201d (53%). However, while these front-line educators feel \u201crespected by students\u201d (60%) and \u201cenergized by students\u2019 enthusiasm for STEM\u201d (60%), significant numbers of teachers also report being \u201cunderpaid\u201d (41%) or \u201cburned out\u201d (26%).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe State of STEM Education\u201d validated that STEM teacher shortages are no myth. More than two-thirds of educators (65%) said that their school is experiencing a shortage of STEM faculty, with 13% indicating that it\u2019s a severe issue. Probing the challenges of teaching STEM classes today versus other subjects, the majority of respondents (59%) reported that, \u201cSTEM education is challenging \u2013 but it also offers unique rewards in terms of encouraging student curiosity and motivation.\u201d At the same time, fewer than 8% felt that remote learning took a heavier toll on STEM education than on other disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Recommended News<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Solve\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Corporate<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Solve for Tomorrow OpEd: Problem-based Learning Leads STEM Students to Help Community<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n

\u201cThrough our work on Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung has seen just how critical STEM Teachers are to ensuring the future of STEM education \u2013 and a vibrant STEM workforce,\u201d said Ann Woo, Director of Corporate Citizenship for Samsung North America.<\/strong> \u201cSociety at large needs to listen to and understand the concerns of these dedicated educators – innovation and progress depend on the fruits of their hard work. We hope the insights from \u2018The State of STEM Education\u2019 will contribute to making sure our communities continue to provide what STEM educators need to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n

The survey took a deep dive into the use of PBL<\/a> \u2013 a technique adapted by many in the field as a tool for engaging students with approaches used in STEM workplaces. Educators expressed wide support for PBL<\/a> with 44% saying that PBL has been broadly effective in engaging their classes and sparking interest in STEM careers. Another 44% stated that they believe PBL is a great equalizer, helping students who have had a hard time in STEM classes \u2018get it,\u2019 while also letting STEM naturals stretch their wings.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the value of participating in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow<\/a>, educators shared perspectives including:<\/p>\n