(NAPSA)—Asound STEM(science, technology, engineering and math)education can be a good way for many stu- dentstodayto plan and preparefor great careers tomorrow. Numbers To Know Considerthesestats andfacts: 1. In the last 10 years, 3 million ‘American jobs have goneunfilled due to lack ofbasic STEMskills. 2. Between 2017 and 2027, the num- ber of STEM jobs will grow 13 percent, It can be fun as well as importantfor is to learn STEM subjects. jobs—with positions in computing, nication, collaboration and creativity) compared to 9 percent for non-STEM engineering, and advanced manufactur ing leading the way. 3. Out of 100 STEM occupations, 93 percent had wages above the national average. The national average for STEM job annualsalaries is $87,570, while the nationalaverage for non-STEM occupa- tionssits at roughly half—$45,700. Fortunately, parents, teachers and frameworkthatusesrelatable scenarios to connect students to real-world challenges. With each unit, students gain valuable critical-thinking and solu- tion-seeking skills forlife. The challenges posed to students progress from grades K-8, Younger students are faced with more personal, localissues. Middle schoolstudents are others have some handy ways to help pushedto solve more complex, global kids get into STEM subjects and get out ofthem what they need. WhatParents Can Do For example, parents can make STEM a partof everydaylife. Here’s how: + Cookingcan be a delicious way to teach about math, chemistry and botany. + Take your kids to the bank with you and explain what's been called the “magic of compoundinterest? + At the supermarket, show your kids howto docalculations and estimates and pointoutthe fractions, prices and percentages. + While enjoying sports, demonstrateall the math and physics involved in playing andscoring in a game. Take your kids on trips to science museumsand zoos. Watch science andtechnology shows on TV. Play with STEM toys and games— electronics, blocks, paper dolls—with yourkids. WhatSchools Can Do Many teachers are turning to a cutting-edge, digital, K-8 resource designed to engage kids and bring STEM to life. Called Discovery Edu- cation STEM Connect, this resource is built on a 4C(critical thinking, commu- challenges. Students are also asked to personalize solutions to fit community andlocal needs. Discovery Education STEM Con- nect's Career Connections provide students with opportunities to learn about diverse STEM careers in context and connecttheskills they are using to real work happening aroundthe world. Dis- covery Education STEM Connect also develops andstrengthensliteracy skills through informational reading passages infused with fictional stories and characters. Educator's Advice “Discovery Education STEM Con- nect empowers my students to become ‘solution seekers’ engaged in solv- ing important real-world challenges? explained Frances Snyder, a Florida pub- lic schoolteacher. “This resource’s relevance,as wellasits ability to support studentsas they develop the importantskills they needto reach theirfullest potential, makesit the ideal interdisciplinary STEM resource for today’s classrooms” Learn More For more information about Discovery Education STEM Connect, call (800)3239084 or visit wwwdiscoveryeducation. com.
