WTBI Flash Draft: We Have a STEM Problem

In which Dan comments on our nation's obsession with STEM education and misaligned priorities. We've been sold a story by industry leaders that STEM jobs are the future; we lionize tech and math nerds; we push kids to take the highest possible math classes. Why? Looking at some of our biggest problems that humanity faces – – climate change, sectarian violence, political paralysis, authoritarianism— and it’s clear that while technology can, has, and always will play a vital role, it’s foolish to think that technology will save us. We can’t simply tech our way out of our problems. This isn't an anti-STEM rant. It's a call for a more balanced approach. Mentioned in the episode: Math Anxiety Is Real. Here's How To Help Your Child Avoid It, NPR, Sept. 2020 College Preparation, Undergraduate Admissions, University of Michigan Can We Please Stop Talking About Harvard?, Have You Heard, Jan. 2024 Bad Idea: Prioritizing STEM Education at the Expense of Civic Education, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Dec. 2020 The Fantasy Economy: Neoliberalism, Inequality, and the Education Reform Movement by Neil Kraus Is There Really a STEM Workforce Shortage? by Ron Hira, Issues in Science and Technology, Summer 2022