What is STEM education?

According to the STEM education guidelines, STEM education is a teaching approach which includes Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This system of education which also has incorporated Arts in it( recently (and is called STEAM), instead of teaching these subjects distinctively, makes a scope to integrate them as one and builds the problem solving capability in the students as well as enhances their practical skills. They believe that the individuals should gather as much knowledge in this ever-changing world and make use of it for problem solving purposes.

The significances of the STEM education:

• It does not require a higher education or college degree.
• It enables the individual to meet the needs of the changing world.
• It enables the individuals to learn practical skills as well as develop a sense of problem solving, with possession of appropriate knowledge.
• STEAM jobs provide 26 percent better salary than other non- STEAM jobs.
• STEAM education enables students to relate their learnings to their everyday life.
• It enables critical thinking in their students.
• One of the goals of STEM is to provide qualified high-tech workers.
• STEM education enables the student to travel abroad, for purpose of various projects

The eligibility criteria for a Bachelors in the field :

• After the completion of 10+2 courses(PCMB) at school level, students are expected to have the minimum academic qualification. In 10+2,
• Science: (PCM/B) physics, chemistry, mathematics/biology.
• Technology: (PCM) physics, chemistry and mathematics.
• Engineering:(PCM) physics, chemistry and mathematics.
• Mathematics: (PCM) physics, chemistry and mathematics

(biology alongwith the other subjects is only required for pursuing biotechnology).

Those who are opting to enter the dynamic world of STEM education are expected to complete the following procedure of tests in order to get into the field.

• SAT is a mandatory aptitude test to be cracked. A minimum id 1200 SAT score is accepted by the average of universities abroad.
• English language test which includes : IELTS/TOEFL/PTE
• Either of these three English language tests would be good for entry into the field.
• The minimum score for each of these tests would be
  • IELTS- 6 bands
  • TOEFL- 80
  • PTE- 50

Taking either of these three tests would be the last ticket to the entrance. These procedures mentioned above are specifically required for a bachelor’s degree in the STEM education system. If the candidate is pursuing a Master’s degree, they are supposed to crack the following tests:

• GRE/GMAT: some universities require the candidates to score in GRE while some accept GMAT scores. This aptitude test is mandatory for candidates applying for Master’s.
• English language, one of these three is compulsion: IELTS/TOEFL/PTE.
• The score for each of these are:
  • IELTS- 6 bands
  • TOEFL- 80
  • PTE- 50

In order to apply for the Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the field of STEM education system, the protocols are basics inclusive of the candidate’s 10+2 academic results. The STEM system of learning wants more students to come up and unite together to learn more about the dynamic world that we reside in. Knowledge to grow and give out is what they seek and they promise to provide the best of ot to their students. In order for the students to get on board with this system of education, they must be determined to learn better and everyday. The jobs offered by the STEM systems are diverse and the salaries are much higher than the non-STEM jobs. The opportunities provided are related to real-life problem solving and enables the student to rely on their knowledge for decision making as well.
There are various scholarships that are provided for aspiring students.

Scholarships for women: financial support for the female students, after their completion of class 12 examinations. It is termed as the INSPIRED scholarship for higher education (SHE) which was launched by the Ministry of science and technology, Government of India.
The eligibility for INSPIRE scholarship:

• Must be in between the age group of 17 to 23 years.
• Must complete their 12th standard examinations.
• Can pursue natural/basic courses at B.Sc., B.S. and Int M.Sc. or M.s (or)
• Candidates can qualify on the basis of their entrance examination marks in JEE(IIT), AIPMT and NEET.

Scholarship for undergraduates: these scholarships provide financial aid to all students who are opting to delve into the world of the futuristic education.
Scholarships for postgraduates: these scholarships provide financial aid for post graduate and doctoral degrees.
Indian Government has provided various scholarship for students, like:

• Kishore Vigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)
• Medhaavi Engineering Programme 2023-24
• Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for college and university students

The British Council also provides financial aid to the aspiring women for STEM education abroad and the scholarships for the upcoming academic year 2024-25 starts at the beginning of 2024.

In this system of education, it is very essential to know which all activities are required for the candidate to learn and specifically at what time of their age. There are several activities which are allotted for each age group and they are taught at the given times of their lives. As the whole education system highlights the student’s learning to build better cognitive and practical skills, they focus on providing the best of experiences during the process of learning rather than focusing on the end result.

This education opens up a spectrum of career choices, which are very important for the upcoming future of the growing world. Career options varying from law to data analysis are widely available in this field. Few of the diverse range of opportunities are :

• Cyber security analyst
• Software developer
• Biomedical Engineer
• Lab technician
• Database administrator
• It manager
• Business analyst

All of these are job opportunities seeking a futuristic approach towards building modern infrastructure of the world.

Conclusion

The STEM education system targets to educate the generation of students and gives them the freedom of actually utilising their knowledge to relate their day-to-day life for problem solving and decision making abilities.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How to find a STEM education scholarship?
The Governments of various countries offer scholarships to aspiring students, supporting them financially for their higher education. The options for every alternative scholarship programme are available in the respective link provided by the agencies. To get notified, it is recommended to subscribe to their newsletter.

Can I apply for multiple scholarships?
Applying for multiple scholarships is available but the candidate can get only one scholarship a year.

How can I craft an outstanding application for STEM?
In order to craft out a well drafted application, the first thing to keep in mind is the personal statement. Every university requires to know why they should take you in as their student. Secondly, it would be a good idea to provide an insight of your personal skills and specialities, relevant to the programme. They would always be able to differentiate between the candidates who choose hard work over smart work.