I plan to tell you about public education in Idaho and the critical importance of the Idaho STEM Center. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math give rise to the acronym STEM. An acronym is an abbreviation that forms a word, not to be confused with an initialism, which is a similar abbreviation but not necessarily spelling a word. Idaho has built a STEM Ecosystem; a community of partners that includes government agencies, non-profits, PreK-12, higher education institutions and representatives from business and industry. The four disciplines share an emphasis on innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Idaho recognizes the importance to the future work force of STEM training and we see an ever increasing focus and funding from companies who realize future competitiveness depends on a highly skilled STEM work force.

STEM is everywhere in our current environment and its importance will accelerate at a faster pace into the future.  The list of careers that depend on a mastery of STEM skills is long. These careers are often in high paying fields, to name a few: Medical Specialists, Computer and Information System Managers, Architects and Engineers, Physicists and Astronomers, Actuaries, Economists, CyberSecurity, Biology, Earth Sciences, Agriculture, and Educators. Even our bankers need basic math skills. I must note that women belong in STEM careers, they are woefully under-represented. It is felt that some of the non enlightened barriers to girls going on in STEM are fading. I understand our Idaho STEM system had over a million engagements with our Idaho Students in the past year.

Nature gives us excellent examples of the importance of the stem. Plant stems include asparagus, celery, rhubarb, turmeric, and kohlrabi. I have heard about this vegetable, called the German turnip or turnip cabbage. It is a variety of the same species as broccoli, cauliflower, Kale, and Brussels sprouts. The stem is nearly spherical topped by kale looking leaves. Kohlrabi can be eaten raw or cooked. The stem is an important part of Kashmiri and Vietnamese cuisine. Trees and bushes rely on stems. 

Our children’s lifetime career success will surely STEM from a quality education, regardless of the choice of discipline. Critical thinking allows you to “question, analyze, interpret, evaluate and make a judgement about what you read, hear, say or write.” Andrew James said, “a great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.” Aristotle left us very sound advice “it is the mark and an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Critical thinking is a key tool in sorting fact from fiction and misinformation.

If you follow the NBA, it is all about statistics, who is the best player. If you can understand the math behind the Aptitude Rating Test on three point shots, it is Steph Curry followed by Klay Thompson. Hank is working on becoming one of the Splash Brothers.  Mike