I Remember Playing The Game - 840 Words

Connect 4 I remember playing the game Connect Four as a child. The object of this fairly simple game was to connect 4 chips of the same color in a row. Connect Four was a fun game that required some form of strategy if you as a player wanted to be successful. As I strive to become a teacher I am learning that there is a whole new game of Connect Four to be played. Unlike the board game this version carries much more importance and strategy. The new came is finding a way to connect Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These subjects cannot be taught as individual subjects but taught as an integrated unit. In doing so all four subjects will be used in unison to solve real world challenges. Learning how to connect these†¦show more content†¦(The list is endless) Technology- computers and smartphones, but it goes back to television, radio, microscopes, telegraph, telescopes, the compass, and even the wheel. Engineering- building designs, roads, bridges, transportation, global warming, and environmental-friendly machines. Mathematics- We use it every single day. We use at the grocery store, the bank, on tax forms, in dealing with investments and the family budget. The article is so good you can find it here As previously admitted I’ve rarely given any thought to STEM. It’s subject matter that I’m not entirely sure I’ve ever been exposed too. The lack of student exposure to STEM is a major part of the problem. There is a dire need for students to have the critical thinking and problem solving skills that STEM provides. STEM is a major component of the future of our students, but many aren’t that interested. In a study from the U.S. Department of Education says that, â€Å"only 16 percent of high school students are interested in a STEM career† (Hom, E). Our nation’s future is dependent on the skills that our students will possess. These students must learn how to build the skills of each individual discipline of STEM and combine that knowledge to effectively problem solve. This will take some creativity from both teachers and students. Simply