STEM Courses: Why Are They Important?

Did you know that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education has recently become a significant issue in Malaysia? 

It involves arousing students' interest in these fields to make Malaysia a knowledge-based economy. 

It is based on the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013 – 2025 stresses the importance of education in becoming a developed nation that can keep up with the demands of a STEM-driven economy. 

The goal is to excite students about STEM and help them build their skills. 

Read this article if you want to know more about STEM in Malaysia. 

STEM in Malaysia

Malaysia is developing a program to enhance the skills and knowledge of STEM educators. 

Based on a similar program in the UK, it's called the STEM CPD Centre. 

Working alongside the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, they have organized workshops on governance and training for the STEM CPD Centre. 

The objective is to improve STEM education by helping teachers offer better learning experiences to their students. 

STEM education is increasingly crucial in Malaysia, given the country's recognition of the need for a skilled workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math. 

The government has launched initiatives to promote specialized STEM-focused schools that offer tailored courses and resources. 

The Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) has been instrumental in supporting these efforts. 

They have proposed changes to the education system that would foster students' passion for STEM. 

They advocate for inquiry-based science education, which involves hands-on experiments and encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

They also aim to establish a network of scholarship providers and government ministries to educate students about STEM job options (Future-ready Talent Collaborative Network (FuTCoN)). 

Why STEM Courses Are Important?

In today's world, having a wide range of skills, including media and technology literacy, social skills, communication, and flexibility, is crucial. 

Therefore, STEM education teaches critical skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, decision-making, leadership, entrepreneurship, and more. 

These skills will be valuable for students' careers and prepare them to be innovative.

The economy worldwide is transforming as automation replaces current jobs, and technological advancements bring new opportunities. 

With each passing day, students are experiencing a shift in their learning and communication styles due to the ever-evolving technology. 

STEM education has become crucial as it equips students with fundamental skills necessary for success in school and beyond.

The demand for individuals with STEM qualifications and skills is projected to continue to rise. 

Therefore, students nowadays need to empower the necessary skills and STEM education to succeed and adapt to this rapidly changing world.

How To Prepare For STEM?

1. Make a class preparation

Reviewing the chapter and learning objectives provided by your professor before class or closer to exam time is highly recommended. 

These objectives are crucial in understanding and grasping the most important content. 

Therefore, it is important to treat them like a checklist and ensure you keep up with the appropriate material. 

It is also beneficial to continuously review the objectives and identify any questions that need to be answered from the lecture. 

Additionally, completing as much assigned reading as possible is crucial, especially in a flipped classroom. 

This step will maximize the benefits of pre-class assignments, aid in following along during class, and answer questions.

2. Attend the class

Make sure to take note of the process used to solve problems and flag concepts that are still unclear. 

In this stage, taking detailed and beneficial notes and seeking answers to any questions is essential. 

It is crucial to document the process used to solve problems and highlight any concepts that may still be unclear. 

3. Do revision

As a student, you must review your notes thoroughly, filling in any missing information and noting new questions that may arise. 

It is best to do this immediately after class to ensure better material retention. 

As you continue building your knowledge, keep resolving and generating new questions to enhance your understanding. 

4. Study to your learning technique

To enhance your understanding of the class material, it is recommended that you supplement your class notes with additional readings. 

Discussing the content with a classmate is also a great way to solidify your knowledge. 

Moreover, generating figures and diagrams from your notes can provide visual aids to aid your understanding. 

Additionally, working through practice problems during several weekly study sessions is an invaluable part of your study plan. 

Exams often present problems that you may have never encountered before. 

Thus, exposing yourself to as many problems as possible, especially while self-testing, can help you develop critical thinking skills. 

It is important to remember to make your study strategy active and engaging to achieve the best results.

Also read: 6 Learning Techniques To Excel In Academic

5. Evaluate your learning.

To improve your understanding of a subject, practicing recall and metacognition is important. 

Recall involves using only your brain to answer questions, while metacognition is the process of thinking about your own thinking. 

One effective way to do this is by completing little-risk assignments. 

These assignments provide instant feedback, which is great preparation for a testing environment. 

However, it is essential to avoid looking at the answer before attempting problems. 

Doing so can rob you of a valuable learning opportunity and create illusions of comprehension. 

To truly test your understanding, take every opportunity to explain the material aloud to yourself or a friend. 

This testing will reveal what you know well and what you still need to work on.

The significance of STEM education in Malaysia cannot be overstated, as it is a driving force transforming the country's future. 

By instilling in the younger generation the essential skills, Malaysia is creating a pathway to gain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving global technological landscape. 

Through a combination of strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts, Malaysia has made it possible for STEM to flourish. 

It has positively impacted the overall growth and development of the nation.

For more related content such as study habits, you can read here.