Like many Americans, I am thankful that I am an American citizen. I am thankful for the many men and women that fight for my freedom on a daily basis. There is still one thing that I question about our government, why is it that we (as a country) act like everyone else’s big brother?
In the article “What’s our Sputnik?” it stressed that since we are embarking on the war on terror, other countries, like China are continuing to surpass our technological advances. Honestly, Friedman did bring up a great point. I understand that the United States wants to keep its allies. It does seem that somehow through helping others, we have lost our passion to be leaders in technology, science, engineering, and mathematics. Where has our passion gone?
The economy across the states has dropped. In Michigan, we were definitely hit due to the state’s income focusing mainly on the auto industry. Finally, Michiganders are beginning to see some economic climb, thanks to the engineers designing more vehicles that are geared toward hybrids. Is this the end to our struggles? As a state, the government needs to come up with more outlets that can create more jobs in the STEM areas.
If at a national level, the government can reevaluate the passion that drives its’ people, there could be a huge push to promote global competition. In the classroom, we are promoting STEM lessons, so it is up to the government to promote it across the nation.
Resources
Friedman, T. L. (2010, January 17). What’s our Sputnik? [Op-Ed]. The New York Times [Late Edition (East Coast)], p. WK.8.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteLike you I believe that we have to continue to reinvent ourselves and always push the envelope, seeking bigger and better solutions to our current problems, but also be forward thinking and pushing for the next big thing that may possibly be the salvation of mankind. Sounds too lofty? Well, is that not what ever great innovator thinks of his or her inventions?
You asked where has our passion gone? I think that it has diminished because we have chosen to place our energies elsewhere. We are now more involved in so many wars and peace keeping activities that I have lost track. Students are being pushed to simply make the grade in language arts in isolation, rather than using the material from other subject areas to teach language arts. There seems to be a tacit agreement by one and all to be accepting of others leading the charge in technological advances, while we buy their products by the boat load, anticipating the next update and roll out.
Our status as world leaders in science and technology slips further each year, but not much is done about it. Yes we all have heard of the new focus on STEM education, but is it destined to become the next No Child Left Behind (NCLB) initiative, with little funding and all pomp and circumstance? If the climate in school districts across the country is any indication of the support being provided to STEM education then I think we are in serious trouble. No one knows better than science teachers just what the push for STEM education means at the district level; less time for science in elementary schools, lack of facilities and opportunities for innovative thinking in the middle schools, and an under-prepared student who cannot make the grade at the high school level. If this cycle is not stopped then we have no hopes of regaining our status as world leaders and innovators, and not even another Sputnik will be able to save us.