What does STEM areas mean? : Discover the areas of study called STEM abroad – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – and why they are popular
As the world becomes more connected and advanced, so do the science and technology industries. Consequently, these fields are some of the most sought after abroad, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, and graduates are in high demand in the world’s job market. The areas are so popular that an abbreviation was created for it: STEM, an acronym for Science , Technology , Engineering and Math.
What does STEM areas mean?
What are STEM fields?
STEM refers to these four separate and distinct academic fields that have been merged into a single teaching curriculum that focuses on cross-disciplinary learning and skills and a hands-on approach with real-world application.
Far beyond theoretical learning, by integrating these four fields of knowledge, both academically and professionally, students develop skills that move between them and can be applied in dozens of careers:
- Problems solution
- Creativity
- Critical analysis
- Team work
- Independent thinking
- Initiative
- Communication
- Digital resourcefulness
While it is possible to find several definitions that will be similar, the offer of STEM courses and curriculum varies from university to university. In Science, you learn biology, physics, chemistry, etc. In mathematics, algebra, calculus, geometry, among other disciplines. In Technology, there are programming, data, analysis and design disciplines; Engineering, on the other hand, includes topics such as electronics, electrical, robotics, civil, environmental and much more.
The important thing in STEM, when referring to the four fields as one, is integration. The course intentionally combines disciplines into a single curriculum and encourages hands-on experience as a way to obtain and apply relevant theoretical knowledge to the “real world”, constantly moving beyond the confines of classrooms and even the university.
This integration, using the STEM fields as one course, has been very popular in primary and secondary schools abroad. In higher education, STEM can appear as a specialization in the area of Education, for training and teachers, or as different concentrations of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, as we will explain below.
Why take a STEM course?
An academic STEM background will equip you with specific skills applicable in technical roles and help foster a wide range of generic competencies that are useful across disciplines. In general, the broad knowledge and versatile skills acquired make graduates more employable than those who focus on only one of the STEM areas – just Engineering, for example.
In the ever-evolving global economy, many jobs are disappearing or reinventing themselves, and more are emerging all the time due to automation and as a result of technological advances. All of this changes the way people learn, connect to the world and interact on a daily basis.
Employer demand for STEM skills and qualifications is high and set to continue to rise as technology evolves in every imaginable sector. For this reason, a STEM degree trains individuals with the skills, knowledge and experience to adapt to constant change and be successful in their chosen career.
Examples of universities with STEM degrees
To better understand what STEM means, nothing better than analyzing six real examples of courses in the area offered by renowned international universities. The approach, focus and curriculum are quite varied. Check it out below!
3 universities offering STEM Education courses:
1. University of Canberra , Australia
The University of Canberra has a four-year Bachelor of Primary Education (STEM) degree in Education that prepares students with the necessary qualifications to become primary school teachers, specializing in the innovative fields of science, mathematics and technology.
With this Bachelor’s degree, the graduate can work as a STEM teacher, school principal, private tutor, school policy advisor, educational counselor, educational project coordinator, etc.
Learn more about the course here (description in English).
2. University of South Wales , UK
The University of South Wales has a Bachelor of Science in STEM Education ( Education for STEM BSc ) for innovative training that will deliver knowledge, skills and attributes across the STEM spectrum.
According to the course definition, “through the creative application of knowledge, you will develop the qualities to be a researcher, thinker, problem solver and STEM communicator”. You will study science, mathematics and technology related to the world you live and work in and how to transfer and communicate your knowledge to the most diverse audiences.
With a three-year duration and focus on Education, graduates will be able to teach STEM to students of all ages.
3. University of Kentucky , in the United States
The University of Kentucky also has a STEM-focused Education degree. The Bachelor of Arts in STEM Education ( BA in STEM Education ) meets the high demand for qualified STEM teachers in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
The course consists of 120 credit-hours and is a dual education: you graduate with qualifications in STEM Education and in a specialized area – there are options in Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science.
3 universities offering courses focused on integrated STEM training:
1. University of Sydney , Australia
The University of Sydney goes beyond STEM and adds another M to the acronym: Medicine. Your STEMM courses include several course options in:
- Agriculture and Food
- Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences
- Engineering and IT
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Medicine
- Sciences
- Technology
Degrees are split between the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Faculty of Engineering and IT, all equipped with specialized laboratories and facilities for hands-on learning.
2. University of Leeds, in the United Kingdom
Leeds has a dedicated STEM department offering online courses, short summer programs and events in a range of specialist areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics such as:
- Food Science and Nutrition
- Anatomy
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Medical Chemistry
- Scientific Writing
- Biosciences
In addition, the STEM@Leeds Outreach team organizes an outreach program and activities throughout the year to encourage more students to choose STEM fields in higher education.
3. University of Washington, in the United States
Washington is formed by a School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, which offers undergraduate degrees in four divisions:
- Biological Sciences
- Computing and Software Systems
- Engineering & Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
Global perspective on STEM
A STEM education results in a set of skills and professional preparation that are useful in a huge diversity of industries and lead to specializations such as information technology, computing, food science, software creation and countless others. The financial and business sectors, for example, also value STEM graduates for their logical skills and analytical ability.
The UK has a shortage of STEM graduates, which means there is a huge demand for skilled professionals in the job market. In fact, STEM jobs are expected to increase twice as much as other jobs by 2023, creating 142,000 new jobs.
Likewise, there are shortages in the United States. It is estimated that of the 3.5 million jobs available by 2025, 2 million will not find suitable professionals if more people do not graduate in STEM.
In Australia, the government’s solution was to invest A$64 million in early STEM teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools to encourage more students to choose Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics when entering higher education.