STEM

Jonathan Ross, Reporter
April 3, 2019

It’s important to recognize that, in claiming that STEM classes are indeed more important than humanities classes, I am in no way advocating the manufacturing of cookie-cutter, soon-to-be doctors and engineers, nor am I advocating the defunding of arts programs. Instead, I want to highlight the necessity of STEM literacy — the basic comprehension of math and science subjects. My inspiration behind this largely lies with the past, current, and future economic and educational landscape in our country.

The late 1940s brought a post-war boom, with which America propelled itself to the forefront of the global market, both economically and technologically. Since then, our job market has become increasingly saturated with tech-related job opportunities, ones for which students aren’t always adequately prepared. Quite obviously, there are sectors outside of STEM for those students who aren’t; however, the advent of widespread computer use and increasingly advanced jobs has brought with it a new standard for all semi-skilled and skilled labor. Artists use programs to animate their creations, economists use complex math and calculators to foresee market predictions, and anthropologists use the latest breakthroughs in science to help further their studies. As our teachers have so often reminded us, there is an important difference between memorization of a process and the comprehension of such process. That, in of itself and in terms of future employment, aptly explains the necessity of STEM literacy.

There is, however, a second, significantly uglier reason backing up my claim: the advantage STEM classes establish in school.  Being a “humanities student” myself, I adamantly abhor the science and math bias cultivating like a spoiled biology experiment on the third floor of our building. Still, it would be wholly ignorant to suggest that this ideology is without entirely without backing. STEM students are undeniably better off than their counterparts because of the uneven distribution of advanced classes. Should this be changed? Absolutely. In the meantime, however, students taking AP calculus instead of pottery will have a higher GPA, and they’ll be better prepared for stem-heavy standardized tests. I write this series as a part of my journalism class, which, enjoyable as it may be, does set me at a disadvantage. It’s one I’ve voluntarily accepted, but a disadvantage nonetheless.

In a debate such as this, it’s important to recognize the differences between reality and idealism. As a school, community, and nation, it would be remarkable to applaud a unidirectional English major as enthusiastically as we do a steadfast astrophysicist. However, given the future our generation will inherit, that simply isn’t feasible. STEM literacy is important in all facets of our school and economic system, whether that be history and literature or chemistry and calculus. In the end, it’s not that humanities are of less importance, but that STEM is of more.