STEM as a Base Class

STEM as a Base ClassChris Jones1/4/2013

The Preamble: STEM is awesome!• By 2018, current government projections show that more than

800,000 high-end computing jobs will be created in the economy, making it one of the fastest growing occupational fields.• Five of the top ten fastest growing jobs will be in computing-related

fields ( i.e., computer software engineer jobs expected to grow 45% over the next five to seven years).• Computer science and computer engineering bachelor degrees are in

high demand and command two of the top three average salary offers from employers among all majors. [1]

STEM jobs are still prone to bubbles

The Tale of the Lawyer Geologist“During the 1980s a glut in mineral commodities combined with an oversupply of mining engineers and economic geologists drove hiring down to very low levels. Since that time, mining companies have largely lived off of that 1970s to 1980s generation of employees. ” [2]

Any one STEM job isn’t a safe career•According to the BLS, today there are approximately

10 times more computer software engineers than computer hardware engineers [3]

Base classes in programming…

…STEM as a programming base class…

High School STEM student

College CS Major

College Chem Major

College Bio Major

Pre-med student

Computer Programmer

Research Chemist

Medical Researcher

Medical Doctor

????

Project Manager

Bioinformatics Software Engineer

????

????

“We don’t know what kind of jobs you’ll be doing in the future.”

-Don Morton, Site Leader, MS Great Plans

…base classes in RPGs…and base classes in RPGs

[4]

…base classes in RPGs…and base classes in RPGs•RPG classes demand to be explored

•RPG classes are messy, organic

•RPG classes allow for customization by taste or demand

Takeaways• “STEM learning is more about process than product”• STEM is a starting point for a great career, but no one STEM

job is safe• Real life STEM career demands are unknown, organic,

demand exploration• Important for educators to realize that as context for

providing STEM education• Important for students to realize that as context for their

careers, and (hopefully) a motivating force driving lifelong learning

Thanks for listening!

References1. http://tealsk12.org/TEALS2012.pdf2. http://www.ees.nmt.edu/outside/prospective/careers.html3. http://www.bls.gov/k12/computers03.htm, http://www.bls.gov/k12/computers04.htm4. http://xkcd.com/189/5. Background images:http://www.insanedifficulty.com/images/1.3jobtree.pnghttp://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/91791-the-start-of-the-affair-final-fantasy-tactics/final-fantasy-tactics-jobs-468x.jpghttp://docs.kdab.com/kdchart/2.4.3/class_k_d_chart_1_1_abstract_area_base__inherit__graph.pnghttp://www.mayang.com/textures/Stone/images/Marble/marble_fossils_4167.JPG