Team:iBowu-China/Inclusion
Inclusion
Research:
Access to STEM in China:
STEM education is integral to a child’s development in this rapidly innovating and technologizing world; it pervades all aspects of our lives. The National Science Foundation exclaimed that to succeed in this knowledge heavy and highly technological society, the bars have been raised higher for youth in their capabilities in STEM. [1] To compete in a global economy, careers related to STEM must be a national priority, regardless of the country’s physical location.
For China, an investigation revealed that “there were only 11 scientists and engineers on average among every 10,000 in the nation’s workforce.” [4] Despite China having the highest graduation number in science, more emphasis is needed on STEM education in China, as the industry has been more product-oriented than education oriented.
From our research, we see a long way to go for STEM education in China. Weiping Hu, professor and director of the key lab of Modern Teaching Technology at Shaanxi Normal University, said that the limited number of professional faculty restricts China's STEM education. Approximately 80.5% of faculty involved in STEM instruction have received no serious science education, and many are of a middle or high school education level. [3]
Cultivating interest in science and technology is an urgent need and is also a social responsibility for us who are fortunate enough to access all the invaluable resources around us. Therefore, our team has taken this social responsibility to educate our fellow citizens, but most importantly, to make them curious learners.
We created a doodling book dedicated to children to expose them to science at a young age. The doodling book contains detailed depictions of biology-related concepts: nucleotides, cell structure, the central dogma, cell cultivation, ribosomes, etc. The books that were not sold are going to be donated to a recovery center for hearing impaired children, named 小桔灯康复中心, Little Orange Lamp Rehabilitation Center. 40% of children with disabilities in China are illiterate, let alone having been exposed to STEM. We hope our contribution can open another door in terms of their education. [2]
https://www.engineeringforkids.com/about/news/2016/february/why-is-stem-education-so-important-/.
[2] Pulitzercenter. (2019, June 19). China: Students With Disabilities. Pulitzer Center.
https://pulitzercenter.org/projects/china-children-education-disabilities.
[3] Zhang, Y. (2018, September 20). Experts call for emphasis on STEM education in China. Chinadaily.com.cn.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201809/20/WS5ba2e43da310c4cc775e72d1.html.
[4] Zheng, Y. (2019, January 14). Experts say STEM education is the key to nurturing necessary talent.
Chinadaily.com.cn. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201901/14/WS5c3bf77aa3106c65c34e43f6.html.
For China, an investigation revealed that “there were only 11 scientists and engineers on average among every 10,000 in the nation’s workforce.” [4] Despite China having the highest graduation number in science, more emphasis is needed on STEM education in China, as the industry has been more product-oriented than education oriented.
From our research, we see a long way to go for STEM education in China. Weiping Hu, professor and director of the key lab of Modern Teaching Technology at Shaanxi Normal University, said that the limited number of professional faculty restricts China's STEM education. Approximately 80.5% of faculty involved in STEM instruction have received no serious science education, and many are of a middle or high school education level. [3]
Cultivating interest in science and technology is an urgent need and is also a social responsibility for us who are fortunate enough to access all the invaluable resources around us. Therefore, our team has taken this social responsibility to educate our fellow citizens, but most importantly, to make them curious learners.
We created a doodling book dedicated to children to expose them to science at a young age. The doodling book contains detailed depictions of biology-related concepts: nucleotides, cell structure, the central dogma, cell cultivation, ribosomes, etc. The books that were not sold are going to be donated to a recovery center for hearing impaired children, named 小桔灯康复中心, Little Orange Lamp Rehabilitation Center. 40% of children with disabilities in China are illiterate, let alone having been exposed to STEM. We hope our contribution can open another door in terms of their education. [2]
References:
[1] Kids, P. B. E. F. (2016, February 2). Why Is STEM Education So Important? Engineering For Kids.https://www.engineeringforkids.com/about/news/2016/february/why-is-stem-education-so-important-/.
[2] Pulitzercenter. (2019, June 19). China: Students With Disabilities. Pulitzer Center.
https://pulitzercenter.org/projects/china-children-education-disabilities.
[3] Zhang, Y. (2018, September 20). Experts call for emphasis on STEM education in China. Chinadaily.com.cn.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201809/20/WS5ba2e43da310c4cc775e72d1.html.
[4] Zheng, Y. (2019, January 14). Experts say STEM education is the key to nurturing necessary talent.
Chinadaily.com.cn. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201901/14/WS5c3bf77aa3106c65c34e43f6.html.