Not too long ago we learnt about Statistics Canada’s report on the 2011 National Household Survey highlighting STEM Education and the contrasting interest within the various folds of the country’s demography. The hype around getting Canada more active in the area of science, technology, engineering and math has been a subject of much discourse in the last decade. While our production of STEM graduates is significantly small when compared at a global level, the more pressing issue is how we stand to face an internal shortage of engineers and scientists in the upcoming years.
Despite the national level comparison, I was appalled at the innate similarity these statistics showed to the varying interests of young boys and girls at a local elementary school graduation ceremony. While each of these grade 6 students marched across the stage to collect their certificate of achievement, their respective class teachers were asked to read out their one line career aspirations.
It entailed information on what these young graduates of class 6 aspire to become when they actually graduate out of an academic setting. It was astonishing to see how well these children fit into our stereotypical perception of STEM interest, education and enrollment. Without doubt, children of immigrant parents at the age of 11/12 had a stronger desire towards STEM fields. While some wanted to join MIT, there were others who aspired to become CEO’s of a million dollar IT company. All this at the age of 11 is too much to believe coming from such a young child, one would argue but the report from Stats Can just proved it right. So, yes existing immigrants do hold half of the STEM university degrees and there is quite the supply from the next set of second generation immigrants.
Despite the national level comparison, I was appalled at the innate similarity these statistics showed to the varying interests of young boys and girls at a local elementary school graduation ceremony. While each of these grade 6 students marched across the stage to collect their certificate of achievement, their respective class teachers were asked to read out their one line career aspirations.
It entailed information on what these young graduates of class 6 aspire to become when they actually graduate out of an academic setting. It was astonishing to see how well these children fit into our stereotypical perception of STEM interest, education and enrollment. Without doubt, children of immigrant parents at the age of 11/12 had a stronger desire towards STEM fields. While some wanted to join MIT, there were others who aspired to become CEO’s of a million dollar IT company. All this at the age of 11 is too much to believe coming from such a young child, one would argue but the report from Stats Can just proved it right. So, yes existing immigrants do hold half of the STEM university degrees and there is quite the supply from the next set of second generation immigrants.
The other bias that was beseechingly evident was that of gender based interest in STEM fields. Girls without doubt aspired towards more creative and less technical fields when compared to the boys, as it was something they could relate to more easily. Be it their ability to draw, dance, write, travel the world or aid those in need, their careers of interest quite willfully avoided anything to do with STEM. Somehow associating with those artistic expressions meant staying away from sciences, technology and engineering. Aren't STEM professionals expressive and artistic enough or are we not sending out the right message about these fields.
After having seen these deeply rooted wishes from a graduating class of grade 6, the survey seemed quite on track. The current statistics quite concurrently defined how young minds perceive STEM careers, which in a few years translate as equivocal statistics. However, the question that haunted me ever after was what made these children lose their fascination for exploration, intellect and curiosity at such an early age. Why was creativity and expression treated at a different level of understanding quite away from being involved in STEM?
Perhaps it is the collective responsibility of STEM professionals to not plot such a narrow ground for STEM interest. We have for long sugar coated it with fancy equations and ground breaking research. That to a child seems less of an attainable task while drawing and singing their way into the future seems more accessible. This I believe is one of the many places where we lose their ability and confidence.
While the job prospect of STEM fields is far more striking, the mental blocks we have placed to find ourselves capable of it has left many discouraged by this line of work. Our young minds are not being nurtured enough into exploring these areas. We sure do have day camps and science groups trying to bring about a STEM revolution, but their mere cost already separates a great deal of curious minds into choosing STEM as their career of choice. Needless to say, we have to take far more practical steps to instill the STEM belief and highlight the gratifying aspects associated with it. Only then will these young minds be redirected towards this path less traveled.
While the job prospect of STEM fields is far more striking, the mental blocks we have placed to find ourselves capable of it has left many discouraged by this line of work. Our young minds are not being nurtured enough into exploring these areas. We sure do have day camps and science groups trying to bring about a STEM revolution, but their mere cost already separates a great deal of curious minds into choosing STEM as their career of choice. Needless to say, we have to take far more practical steps to instill the STEM belief and highlight the gratifying aspects associated with it. Only then will these young minds be redirected towards this path less traveled.
