Integrating STEM Education and 21st-Century Learning Skills

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo's motto of "learn by doing" is a crucial element both of its remarkable reputation for offering a high quality, technology-intensive education and of its ability to produce graduates equipped with skills desirable for success in the twenty first century.  This teaching philosophy has gained many monikers in the jargon-laden field of education, such as "applied learning," "experiential learning," and "hands-on learning."  In addition, experiential learning often includes a collaborative element, which provides important exposure for students preparing to enter a career.

Research suggests that educational environments in which such teaching methods are employed better engage students and more adequately prepare them for the twenty-first century labor market.  For example, in the midst of the current economic recession, over 86% of Cal Poly's 2011 graduating class survey respondents noted that they had either been hired as a full-time employee or enrolled in graduate school (LINK TO SOURCE).

However, most educational institutions in the U.S. fail to offer experiential learning as a primary mode of instruction for their students.  Unfortunately, the common themes in our schools continue to favor memorization and regurgitation over the development of skills essential to succeed in the twenty first century.  The most popular excuses for this phenomenon are associated with a lack of time, a lack of money, and a need to focus on delivering information that may appear on standardized tests. 

The following organizations operate within the confines traditinally imposed on public schools (e.g., time, money, and learning standards) and endeavor to offer experiential learning to students while maintaining a curricular emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Larry Rosenstock's High Tech High:

21st-century learning skills on display at High Tech High:

How does Rosenstock do it? This Edutopia interview provides some answers:

Creative Learning Systems can equip interested schools with the infrastructure necessary to build SmartLabs, an integrated appraoch to STEM education: