What is STEM?
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These disciplines can be defined as:
Science:
Technology:
Engineering:
Mathematics:
Science:
- A body of knowledge
- Seeks to describe and understand the natural world and its physical properties
- Scientific knowledge can be used to make predictions
- Science uses a process--the scientific method--to generate knowledge
Technology:
- The body of knowledge, processes, and artifacts that result from engineering
- Almost everything made by humans to solve a need is a technology
- Examples of technology include pencils, shoes, cell phones, and processes to treat water
Engineering:
- Design under constraint
- Seeks solutions for societal problems and needs
- Aims to produce the best solution given resources and constraints
- Engineering uses a process--the engineering design process--to produce solutions and technologies
Mathematics:
- The study of:
- Quantity - e.g. numbers and arithmetic
- Space - e.g. sets
- Structure - e.g. geometry
- Change - e.g. calculus