Author: Debra Mercora

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) has been growing in popularity in education over the last decade. And, below, Debra Mercora Superintendent discusses what the most recent stats reveal.

However, there is a lack of young people who are adequately prepared to pursue STEM at college or university levels, with only 36% of high schoolers ready for college-level science, and 44% ready for college-level math.

STEM Jobs in Numbers

In the US, there are over 9.3 million people employed in STEM-related roles. This makes up 6.6% of the working population.

Of those, many work in computing, in roles such as software developers (1.4 million jobs) or as computer support specialists (654,310 jobs). The next most popular positions in STEM are civil engineers and industrial engineers, with a total workforce of 304,310 and 293,950 respectively.

Average Salary

The average salary for a STEM-related career soars to about $100,000. This is almost double the national average for other industry roles, which sits at just $55,000.

Those on hourly wages in the STEM sector can range from starting at, on average $38.85, as opposed to career paths, whose average hourly rate is ranges from $19.00.

Of course, these statistics vary by location and experience levels.

The Highest Paying STEM Jobs

The highest salaries within science, math, engineering, and technology usually involve a management position, and management roles in computer information systems, architecture and engineering, with jobs in natural sciences coming out on top. Their salaries ranged on average from between $150,00 and $165,000.

Also earning a respectable salary, but not in management were physicists, earning an average yearly pay of $150,000.

STEM Students in Numbers

STEM subjects make up around 32.6% of bachelor’s degrees in the United States, with 39% of new college students intending to major in STEM.

Studies have shown that at the high school level, only 16.9% of students in 2012 took an AP class in a STEM subject, with just 9.1% of them achieving a passing grade. However, this is double the number of students who took these subjects at the AP level in 2002, showing an increase from 250,000 to 498,000 over the last 10 years. The hope is that this trending growth will continue in 2023.

Student Success

A majority of high school graduates find themselves unprepared for college-level science and math courses. A study from the National Math and Science Initiative found that only 44% of high school students in 2013 were prepared for advanced math at the college level. The number was even smaller for science, with only 36% being prepared for higher education in the subject.

A study by PISA, the Program for International Student Assessment, found that out of 71 participating countries, the USA only ranked 24th in the world for science education, and was in the bottom half of the table for math, ranking 38th out of 71.

The Gender Gap

The STEM sector has the largest variance between male and female recruitment numbers. Of STEM careers, those in engineering, with only 15% of the total workforce in the USA, is made up of women.

Other sectors, such as life sciences, have seen a bigger increase, with around 48% of jobs in this field being filled by women.

In education, most girls’ interest in STEM subjects starts to fade at the middle school level. In 2012, just 33.5% of girls majored in a STEM subject. However, this number has been steadily rising, as figures were just 27.1% in 1995.

In Conclusion

Education is a constantly evolving sector — as the world changes, so does the focus of elementary teaching and curriculums. Nowadays, early education is centered around introducing core concepts to build upon later in academic life.

However, Debra Mercora, Superintendent explains that there are always debates over which educational methods are best. And it appears that the top five trends in elementary education in 2023 seem to be:

Inquiry-Based Learning in Science

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) is a style of education focused on a student-centric learning environment. Teachers are considered classroom facilitators, guiding students, and helping them through problem-solving workflows. 

However, research has shown that roughly one-third of students have lost interest in science by the fourth grade. So, elementary schools are beginning to implement inquiry-based learning in science lessons to foster a love for the subject among the majority of students. 

This type of learning leans into the active education style of STEM while encouraging children to ask questions, do their own research, and explore new ideas in groups, pairs, or individually. 

Project-Based Learning

Most states use Common Core State Standards to improve student outcomes, preparing them for higher learning levels. An imperative component in the Standards is project-based learning, otherwise known as PBL. 

Not only does this learning type allow students to reach Common Core Standards more effortlessly, but it also readies them for deeper thinking, enhancing performance in various educational aspects. 

Additionally, over 18 states implemented Next Generation Science Standards at the end of 2016, with over 40 showing interest. And project-based learning is integral for adopting and achieving these new Standards.

Ultimately, PBL helps students:

• ask questions and define problems
• plan and conduct investigations
• interpret data
• communicate information
• engage in evidence-fueled debates

Hands-On Teaching

Students actively engaged in their education are more likely to retain the information. Thus, hands-on teaching is a well-loved trend for this year and beyond. 

While this approach is fantastic in many fields, it proves the most beneficial for STEM subjects by encouraging children to explore ideas, building their confidence as they go. 

It’s student-facilitated, but teachers play the vital role of creating an environment conducive to hands-on learning. 

Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning lets students improve subject mastery by working in small groups and participating in a range of educational activities. It’s a common alternative approach seen throughout elementary schools nationwide, giving children a sense of achievement and collaboration. 

Successful cooperative learning environments boast five key elements:

1. Group processing
2. Face-to-face communication and engagement
3. Positive interdependence
4. Small group and interpersonal skills
5. Group and individual accountability

Research concludes that this alternative strategy develops deeper subject understanding, improves self-esteem, and boosts motivation. 

Holistic Learning Approaches

Finally, therapeutic elementary schools are becoming more popular in many states. They aim to ensure children from low-income families make substantial academic progress while improving their personal lives. 

Such schools often blend social services and healthcare with regular education, providing holistic approaches to children’s learning.

While these are the current top five trends, things are always evolving, ensuring the country’s children receive the best education possible. 

The Irish community is the second most prominent international ethnicity in the state of New Jersey, listed at over 865,000 people in March of 2022. It’s no surprise that traditional Irish dancing events have made their way across the pond and are a big deal for many folks residing in the region.

For anyone looking to witness the spectacle of this traditional dance form, there are many festivals, competitions, and events anyone can attend. Below, Debra Mercora of NJ gives an overview of Irish dance events in the area.

Irish Dancing: A Quick Overview

Irish dancing is a type of traditional Celtic dance that originated centuries ago in Ireland. The dance can be done individually, as in Step and Sean Nos Dancing or in groups of up to twenty dancers in the Set Dancing. In Ireland, dance is used for both social dancing and official performances and contests.

The dance is performed with precise footwork and a rigid upper body. Unlike other dancing disciplines, Irish dancers do not move their arms or hands, instead emphasizing the focus on the intricate footwork. The musicians play an intricate part in the dance festivities.

Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration

The State Theatre of New Jersey routinely hosts Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration, performed by the Dublin Irish Dance Company. This event features former World Champion dancers alongside a renowned ensemble of musical and vocal performers.

This lively and enlightening presentation depicts rich Celtic cultural themes in stunning dance and musical performances, complete with original music and choreography. The riveting and delightful performances are appropriate for audiences of all ages.

Spring Lake Irish Festival

Jam-packed with family-friendly events such as a petting zoo, face painting section, and live music, the Spring Lake Irish Festival also hosts the traditional Irish Soda Bread Contest. Irish dancing is on full display throughout the festival, which is held in the vibrant and beautiful downtown area of Spring Lake, NJ.

Sponsored by Spring Lake Irish Center, the festival brings hundreds of families to the Spring Lake area each year. It’s the perfect occasion to spend some time diving headfirst into Celtic tradition and culture, as well as enjoying some of the finest Guinness and oysters around.

Irish American Association of North West Jersey’s Annual Feis

A feis (plural: feiseanna) is a traditional Irish dancing competition held to showcase individual dancers’ skills and technical prowess. Some competitions are invite-only, while others allow competitors from all over the region to participate. Many feiseanna also feature a team competition where groups of dancers can show off their fancy footwork together.

The Irish American Association of North West Jersey (IAANWJ) holds an annual feis with events for children, adults, and seniors. Vendors from all over the state gather to sell their wares and food, creating an exciting and celebratory atmosphere that heightens the competitive spirit of the event.

Closing Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the joy, cultural pride, and celebration inherent in an Irish dance performance. Whether it be witnessing, indulging in, or practicing an Irish dance spectacle, there are various events throughout New Jersey in which this dance can be appreciated in its finest forms.