STEM subjects in crisis?

First of all, it is important to define what STEM subject is. STEM subjects are the acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects, that are both subjects in primary/secondary education and in higher education (as a career of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Why talk about crisis? It seems that nowadays, European children are showing less interest in this STEM subjects than their peers around the world. STEM subjects are not popular subjects in schools. The declining interest in STEM among young people has been covered in many research and policy reports, conferences and events over the last decade.
Also, many experienced scientists and technicians in these fields are near to retirement. The teaching profession in Europe is also an aging profession (1/3 of teachers are aged over 50).

And this is a problem, because this kind of subjects and careers are fundamental for training future researchers and teachers.

In this way, the European Commission, funds a vast array of programs aimed at encouraging school-age children to develop an interest in STEM and, ultimately, to take up a career related to science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

So, it's important to adopt inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) and other innovative approaches to the daily teaching of science and mathematics in the classroom, to encourage students.

There are tools that can help promote new interest in STEM subject’s students, and help teachers to capture the student’s attention to these subjects.

An example of these tools is Scientix, a tool that helps create a scientist community in Europe. Allows connect to other scientists, access related materials and others, for the STEM community.

Here is a publication about what Scientix is, I think is really interesting. Hope enjoy it!.