STEM And Roots

STEM is an acronym. “Roots” isn't. You'll find STEM primarily in an educational context, and it refers to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

It became a concern of many American educators and of the government when they saw that our students weren't scoring as high as those of some others – students in other countries – in the scientific and mathematical fields and feared that eventually, possibly imminently, those other countries would pass us in these areas, and take the lead in development of technology. And perhaps that is true already in some areas.

On July 20, 1969, at 20:18 UTC, the United States landed men on the moon. No one else has done that in the almost 47 years since. So what? Apart from bragging rights and a proof that we were worlds[!] ahead of everyone else I can't think of anything this achievement (and the expense of realizing it) have gained us. I'm sure there are some benefits but I, and I suspect others, cannot identify them.

In the 1940s we split the atom and demonstrated what that can do. It was a great achievement and the techniques we have learned about atomic manipulation have since provided us with nuclear power, but the costs, both fiscally and in terms of human life, have been enormous. There are many who are wary of the risks of nuclear energy, and who feel that the price of progress was far too high.

And there are other scientific efforts both underway and planned, with a great deal of interest in learning about the universe in which we live. They're expensive, but they answer questions (actually much of what is studied is only of interest to scientists, and taxpayers are funding their curiosity) about the origin of everything (some would call that Creation) and maintain our reputation as leader in science and technology. We are acknowledged leader in the area of space technology, although we are afraid that we are not preparing the next generation to maintain that lead.

I have no intent to belittle all scientific advancement – new medicines and technology have certainly increased our life spans and aided many of the poor around the world – but only to raise the question of whether all of what we are doing is necessary or appropriate; and whether it is necessary to solidify our position as leader simply for its own sake. I may be an advocate of free enterprise and believe that the development of new, and marketable, devices reflects the kind of economic system that has made us great, but I also wonder if it's not time that we slowed down. I wonder if, in a society where neither law nor ethics can keep up with science, we're not moving too fast. And I'm not sure we have to be the leader.

What is above the ground is growing far faster than what is below. And, unfortunately, our society seeks to widen the gap between what our scientists can learn and what the rest of us can understand and integrate into our lives. We want future generations of Americans to continue to show our superiority to the rest of the world. The specifics are not important. Improving education in STEM subjects will allow our descendents to glow, irrespective of their areas of interest and irrespective of the value and applicability of the knowledge they gain. They'll be able to move society forward at an ever more dizzying pace than before.

But perhaps the emphasis is misplaced. Perhaps we should better understand our own values before we consider the value of undreamed of scientific advancements. Perhaps future generations will be able to evolve their own scientific advancements – ones they value rather than those we dream up for them. Are we making a mistake when we seek to educate our children to be able to reach and establish new civilizations, while not taking the time and providing the education that will help them to better understand the history and nature of the civilization in which they now live? What is the value of transferring a valueless society elsewhere?

I cannot help but think that we have to slow down. A stem without strong roots is doomed no matter how well developed that stem is. Whatever the importance of scientific education, we should also be teaching our children about literature and the arts; about their own history, government, and society – its values and its laws. And we should be teaching them that many of those values are religiously based. Admittedly there are many among us who believe (they, too, have beliefs) that science is all there is and all that is important to know, but they are a minority and a society that stops for a moment to better understand itself as it is, is preferable to one capable of moving rapidly, but not knowing where it is going.