School is getting ready to begin and if STEM isn’t in the forefront of your mind, it should be. Clueless as to what STEM is? Get to know it.
The Acronym for STEM
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S – Science
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T – Technology
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E – Engineering
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M – Mathematics
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and helps to recognize each as a vitally important subject. Studies have shown that the lack of interest in these subjects may cause a job crisis over time and eventually ensure that foreign workers receive the majority of high-paying scientific jobs over our own kids. With the plethora of technology-based jobs in Oregon, we should be especially concerned.
“National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores show that only 37% and 33% of Oregon’s fourth and eighth grade students, respectively, test at or above the proficient level in math. Similarly, only 34% of fourth grade students and 35% of eighth grade students test at or above the proficient level in science.” PDXStem.org
This is a big problem! Mad Science is dedicated to doing our part to help.
STEM Initiatives in Portland and Surrounding Areas
Initiatives have begun nationwide to energize these subjects in schools and communities. In the Willamette Valley, the Portland Metro STEM Partnership and the Salem-South Metro STEM Partnership are working to bring STEM learning opportunities to students in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Marion & Yamhill Counties and beyond. Several science based companies have pooled resources to find ways to excite kids about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. By teaming up with educators in the public sector, they are starting to make a difference in local school systems. Mad Science is proud to stand beside all of the Portland Metro STEM Partnership partners including the Oregon Zoo, OMSI, Intel, Friends of the Outdoor School, Oregon and Health Sciences University, Portland State University, and many more.
With Mad Science STEM Learning is Fun – Science Assemblies and More
Schools can easily ignite interest in STEM subjects with one of our sponsored science assemblies. With sponsors like the local water bureau on board, these assemblies are FREE to most schools! The only thing you need to do is call Mad Science to check your school’s eligibility and schedule a time for Mad Scientists to engage your students with fun and showy STEM based experiments that they’ll be sure to remember. Call now, before all of our FREE science assemblies are gone! 503-230-8040
Whether it is an afterschool program, girl scout workshop, or a Mad Science birthday party, we bring science to life with hands on experiments and science activities that kids will talk about for weeks. Kids leave Mad Science activities with science take homes that instill STEM objectives even after they leave the lab. Believe it or not; the fascinating allure of making slime, launching rockets, and constructing robots can teach STEM objectives. To find additional STEM learning opportunities for your kids, check out everything Mad Science has to offer at www.portland.madscience.org.
