【譯題】制定成功之路:美國STEM教育戰略(一)
Product of the COMMITTEE ON STEM EDUCATION of the NATIONAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
美國國家科學技術委員會STEM教育委員會
Executive Summary
Since the founding of the Nation, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have been a source of inspirational discoveries and transformative technological advances, helping the United States develop the world’s most competitive economy and preserving peace through strength. The pace of innovation is accelerating globally, and with it the competition for scientific and technical talent. Now more than ever the innovation capacity of the United States—and its prosperity and security—depends on an effective and inclusive STEM education ecosystem. Individual success in the 21st century economy is also increasingly dependent on STEM literacy; simply to function as an informed consumer and citizen in a world of increasingly sophisticated technology requires the ability to use digital devices and STEM skills such as evidence-based reasoning.
The character of STEM education itself has been evolving from a set of overlapping disciplines into a more integrated and interdisciplinary approach to learning and skill development. This new approach includes the teaching of academic concepts through real-world applications and combines formal and informal learning in schools, the community, and the workplace. It seeks to impart skills such as critical thinking and problem solving along with soft skills such as cooperation and adaptability.
Accordingly, this report sets out a Federal strategy for the next five years based on a Vision for a future where all Americans will have lifelong access to high-quality STEM education and the United States will be the global leader in STEM literacy, innovation, and employment. It represents an urgent call to action for a nationwide collaboration with learners, families, educators, communities, and employers—a “North Star” for the STEM community as it collectively charts a course for the Nation’s success.
This vision will be achieved by pursuing three aspirational goals.
摘要
自美國建國以來,科學、技術、工程和數學(STEM)一直是鼓舞人心的發現和革命性技術進步的源泉,幫助美國發展世界上最具競爭力的經濟,并通過實力維護和平。全球創新步伐加快,科技人才的競爭也隨之加劇。如今,美國的創新能力及其繁榮和安全比以往任何時候都更加依賴于有效和包容的科技教育生態系統。個人在21世紀經濟中的成功也越來越依賴于科技創新素養。在一個技術日益復雜的世界里,要想成為一個具有知情權的消費者和公民,就需要具備使用數字設備的能力,以及基于證據的推理等STEM技能。
STEM教育本身的特點已經從一套重疊的學科發展成為一種更加綜合、跨學科的學習和技能發展方法。這種新方法包括通過現實世界的應用來教授學術概念,并結合了學校、社區和工作場所的正式和非正式學習。它旨在傳授批判性思維和解決問題等技能,以及合作和適應能力等軟技能。
因此,這份報告提出了未來五年的聯邦戰略,其基礎是對未來的展望,即所有美國人都將終身接受高質量的科技教育,美國將成為科技教育、創新和就業領域的全球領導者。這是一個緊急的行動呼吁,要求與學習者、家庭、教育者、社區和雇主開展全國性的合作——這便是STEM社區的“北極星”計劃,它共同規劃了國家成功的道路。
這一愿景也將通過三個雄心勃勃的目標來實現。(如右表)