Technical skills are insufficient for success in the 21st-century workforce

by Karen Abrams, MBA, EdD Candidate
Education Technology – Curriculum Design & Instruction

It is crucial that we teach students not just about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) but also how to think like a scientist. The need for high-quality Math and English instruction is an urgent global imperative. If we want our children to be prepared for the future, they must be given the tools they need to solve problems in every area of their lives — whether it’s understanding how to use technology or creating products that make people’s lives easier.

With the current focus on STEM education, there appears to be a rush to teach children how to build robots and fly drones, however an investment in the fundamentals of core education is still important if we want to educate young people who will actually lead, think strategically and innovate solutions.  This is why all STEMGuyana’s clubs and programs focus on preparing the whole child for a future career in any field.  The STEMGuyana program curriculum includes math, english, science, arts and technology components and with a strong focus on building self-confidence, communication, collaboration, leadership and problem solving skills among our early learners.

Two of the more valuable things I learned in school was not math or science, but rather how to learn and how to think critically. I was taught by some of the best teachers I have ever known—teachers who were passionate about their subject and not afraid to challenge their students. They were also good at communicating with parents (something lacking in many schools today), had a sense of humor, and were always willing to help students outside the classroom when needed.

In my experience as an educator and mother of four children, there is no more important trait in a teacher than passion for his or her subject matter. Teachers who are excited about what they teach will be more effective at communicating that enthusiasm to their students, which can make all the difference when trying to get young minds interested in something new or challenging them beyond what they thought possible before taking your class!

Every day I work with educators who use innovative methods of teaching that make learning math, english and science fun for students. These teachers have seen firsthand how important it is for students to learn both STEM skills as well as critical thinking skills at a young age so they can apply them later on in life when faced with challenges or opportunities that require problem solving skills such as making decisions about what career path might be right for them or developing new ideas into something tangible like building bridges or starting businesses based on those ideas.

Since we have no way to know for sure what the future world will be, it is even more important that the 21st century child be educated for any eventuality.  Strengthening skills in STEM subjects is important, but even more important is preparing our children by empowering them as learners in the classroom and inspiring them to research, think and embrace collaboration as they prepare for the future.