Aditi Patil, Founder of XX Coders, On American STEM Education

As you are aware, I am a major proponent of STEM education, not only in this country, but around the world. But apparently, America’s STEM education system isn’t as great as it could (and should) be. According to a recent article from HechingeReport.org, many Americans consider the quality of our nation’s STEM education system to be lacking when compared to most other countries. Why is this?Firstly, it’s important to note that in 2006, President George W. Bush started the “American Competitiveness Challenge” with the intention of improving our country’s science and technology initiatives.

Then, in 2009, President Barack Obama created a program designed to teach 100,000 STEM educators about the program in order to attract minorities and women to the field.Even with these two initiatives in place, America’s STEM education system continues to lack. According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, out of 5,000 responses, only 25% believe that America’s STEM programs are the best in the world; even more worrying was the response from those holding a degree in a STEM field: just 13% feel that America’s K-12 STEM education system was above average.

The survey also revealed that several aspects of the system seem to be dysfunctional. 55% percent of those surveyed believe that teachers spend too much time meeting state demands instead of focusing on practical uses.With positions in STEM on the rise, our education system needs to find a better way of educating our youth so that America is on the forefront of innovation in STEM.

About Aditi Patil

Aditi Patil is a motivated and dedicated young social entrepreneur committed to creating equality for women of color in STEM. Aditi Patil is the founder of XX Coders, a social club designed to teach young women how to code and program in order to engage and grow their passion for computer science. Aditi Patil is currently studying at Columbia University where she will earn her degree in computer science.