According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the economy is concentrated on STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM occupations growth are projected to grow faster than average for all occupations tracked by the BLS. In fact, the growth is more than 9 million before 2022. The U. S. Department of Commerce has STEM occupations growing at 17 percent.
According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, “Science, technology, engineering and mathematics workers play a key role in the sustained growth and stability of the U. S. economy, and are a critical component to helping the U.S. win the future. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy and enables the next generation of innovators. ”
When we take a closer look at our everyday lives, we can see how we interact with STEM careers; our means of transportation, our houses, our communication devices, our banking systems, our health system, our community – you get the picture. STEM pervades every part of our lives.
So, what is STEM? There is agreement that STEM workers use their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the creation and everyday work of solving problems in the workplace. Dennis Vilorio, an economist in the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, explained, “STEM fields are closely related and build on each other. For example, math provides the foundation for physics – and physics, in turn, for engineering. Engineers can apply their knowledge of physics to make high-tech devices that are useful for testing theories in physics. Advances in physics may then lead to advances in engineering and technology.”
SCIENCE Careers: These workers use the physical and natural realm through observation and experimentation, which often involves writing proposals, papers and presenting findings. They collect samples, conduct experiments to test theories.
TECHNOLOGY Careers: These workers use science and engineering to create and troubleshoot areas like computers, information systems, operating systems, artificial intelligence and programming. This work often involves designing, testing, maintaining and improving systems to solve a problem.
ENGINEERING Careers: These workers use math, science and technology to solve real-world problems. They develop systems, structures, products or materials.
MATHEMATICS Careers: These workers use numerical, spatial and logical relationships to study and solve problems. Math is the technical foundation for science, engineering and technology.
In an effort to improve STEM education, Yavapai College’s Career & Technical Education Center (CTEC) is offering free 2017 Summer Robotics Camps for students. You can review all of the camp information at yc.edu/robot.
The ROV camp (remote operated vehicle: underwater robots) runs from June 5-8 at CTEC in Prescott and is for students entering grades 7-9. Working in teams, students in ROV camp build ROVs that are piloted from the surface. Each team will design and build a ROV to complete the assigned underwater mission.
BotBrain camp runs from June 12-15 at CTEC and June 19-22 at the Verde Valley campus and is for students entering grades 7-9. Participants will use BotBrain Educational Robots to complete fun real-world challenges like navigating through a maze or working through a “mine field” to detonate the mines (modified mouse traps serve as mines). Each day will bring a new challenge, and your team’s robot will have to morph to better adapt and complete.
All campers will also have the opportunity to operate one of the college’s FANUC LR-Mate industrial robots.
These programs are free and take place at the Yavapai College CTEC building located at 220 Ruger Road (next to the Prescott Airport) or at the Verde Valley Campus. Camp hours are Monday through Thursday from 1-5 p.m. daily. To apply for the STEM camp, complete the application, student essay and teacher recommendation forms at yc.edu/v5content/academics/divisions/ctec/electric-instrument-tech/robot-camp.htm.
Submit all three forms to Stephanie Wilcher-Sproul at 928-777-3142 or email to Stephanie.wiltchersproul@yc.edu by April 7. Selected students will be notified by April 14.
For additional information on Yavapai College’s STEM programs, contact YC’s Career Coaches Linda Brannock at linda.brannock@yc.edu or Jim Voska at james.voska@yc.edu. QCBN
By Jim Voska
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