Focus on STEM education only, good or bad?

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Foster

I think we should teach METALS - Math, Engineering, Technology, Arts, Literature, Science. (or Language for Literature)

As someone with a "STEM" degree working as a "STEM Professional" I like this.

I put those in quotes because so much of my job is outside of the STEM wheel house. Presentations to customers, writing project proposals, user interface design... I'd say well over half of my job has little to do with STEM.

STEAM gets us closer, but I don't think it really does justice to just how important communication is. I like METALS, it covers things that are important.

(this comment ensures at least one major spelling or grammar error in this post)

One of my personal pet peeves is engineers who can't spell or communicate. If you can't communicate your idea in a professional manner it's not going anywhere.


The bigger issue with STEM education isn't that we aren't doing it. It's that people just flat out don't give a crap about education. Being smart isn't cool. That is what we need to change if we want to compete in the new economy, education needs to be valued.

Full Disclosure - I haven't read the article... yet.