The rising importance of a STEM-Education

As we become further engulfed by the 21st century, it is becoming more widely accepted that a strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education will be pivotal to a student’s future success. Below are just 3 reasons as to why this might be the case…

1. Future jobs: “The Future of the Economy is in STEM”

We are all becoming increasingly aware of how pervasive technology is in almost every aspect of daily life. As the workplace changes, STEM knowledge and skills grow in importance for almost all types of jobs. STEM-employment is projected to grow by approximately 13% between 2012 and 2022, with some of the biggest rises seen in jobs such as biomedical engineering, software development and operations analytics. Furthermore, it has been shown that STEM professionals can typically expect to earn more than double the median wage, thereby leading to a financially rewarding career.

2. Develop skills which can change the world

The problems facing today’s world require complex solutions. Issues such as global warming, emerging diseases such as the recent Ebola and Zika viral outbreaks, the all-elusive cure to cancer orthe development of a successful interdependent world economy all come into this category. The solution to these problems will arguably fall upon the shoulders of individuals who have a strong foundation in the STEM subjects.

What’s more, President Obama has recently confounded this view:

“Science is more than a school subject, or the periodic table, or the properties of waves. It is an approach to the world, a critical way to understand and explore and engage with the world, and then have the capacity to change that world…”

— President Barack Obama, March 23, 2015

3. Inspire the next generation

By embarking upon a STEM-focused career path, which is both challenging and exciting, it is likely this will inspire others to become interested in science. Take a look at a few examples below of occupations which might be said to inspire others; in particular note how all of these require a strong STEM background:

• Astronaut at NASA
• Neurosurgeon
• Cancer Biologist at Harvard Medical School
• Particle Physicist at CERN
• Robotics Engineer

So if we have managed to persuade you that a STEM education is important, how might you go about improving your STEM education?

Enter Cambridge SciSearch…

Cambridge SciSearch is the first scientifically-focused summer school programme in Cambridge (UK), which is dedicated to providing first-class STEM-based educational opportunities for 16-19 year old students. Our specialised 2-week summer school courses offer exclusive hands-on practical laboratory or computer programming experiences, allowing students to pick up invaluable skills and scientific techniques. From the 1st-13th August 2016, Cambridge SciSearch will be offering a range of STEM-based courses including the following: Biological Natural Sciences, Chemical Natural Sciences, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Each of these courses include the following components:

• Hallmark Practical Research Experiences: A minimum of 12 hours practical laboratory or programming experience (course-dependent) across the 2 week programme.
• First-Class Tutoring: All academic sessions are led by inspiring yet approachable Oxbridge academics in a maximum 5:1 student-to-tutor ratio.
• Extensive Academic Enrichment: Listen to guest speakers from the forefront of scientific research and engage in scientific debate broaching some of the most controversial areas in modern-day science.
• Weekend Excursions: Embark upon day trips to both London and Oxford (‘the other place’), including the opportunity to visit the London Science or Natural History Museums, as well as the internationally distinguished Royal Institute of Science.
• Admissions Preparation: Get specialist help and advice from Cambridge academics and students, who can give you tips and tricks on how to best optimise your university applications and prepare for interviews or admissions tests.

Take a look at our jam-packed 2 week schedule below:

Week 1…

Week2…

For more information please browse our 2016 brochure, or email Holly at holly@cambridgescisearch.com who will be happy to help with any queries you may have. Applications are now open for 2016 (www.cambridgescisearch.com/apply-now/).

Why not take the opportunity to enhance your STEM-based skills? And maybe one day you could change the world too.

Opinion piece from Cambridge SciSearch