Nova Host David Pogue performs his own number, which highlights certain problems that he sees in modern technology. PHOTO: Eli J. Mapes

Pogue Speaks of STEM Hope

Eli J. Mapes

            Nova host David Pogue spoke to a packed Meacham Auditorium about STEM education on Thursday, giving hope for America’s future.

            As highlighted on Pogue’s personal website, he is the author of many technology-based books, but his speech was based solely around America’s STEM curriculum. STEM is an acronym for the type of classes that we teach our students. The classes are based around Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and are also major areas where America is falling behind in the world of education.

            Pogue said, “one out of four incoming freshman expect to major in a STEM subject.” He went on to say that less than one quarter of those actually go on to graduate in a STEM subject. He attributes this to the harshness of the freshman “weed-out” classes, which scare students away from STEM classes, and therefore the STEM degrees.

            But Pogue says that universities are now recognizing this trend and are trying new ways to keep kids in their degree programs. At the University of Notre Dame, they have completely done away with these classes. Incoming freshman are no longer in massive weed-out classes. The university has broken up the old 400-student lectures and brought them into smaller, more project oriented classes where they have more hands-on projects. This principal has changed their graduation rate in STEM degrees from roughly 50 percent, to nearly 90 percent.

            Pogue might be right about the future of STEM education. As The Columbian from Vancouver, Washington showed just last year, the US market is trying to grow its work force in STEM subjects. It highlighted 1 booming nonprofit organization known as nConnect, which in a matter of 8 years, is inspiring thousands of students to work in the STEM fields by providing projects to high school age students, and offering internships to many more.

            Pogue was brought to the University of Oklahoma by the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education as part of the Cathey Simmons Humphreys Distinguished Education Lecture Series, according to the college of Education’s Director of Alumni Outreach, Emily Mapes. Mapes said that Pogue seemed very excited to be in Oklahoma throughout his trip, and especially enjoyed the new OneU Store in the Union.

            Pogue’s speech tried to give hope for the future of American higher education, and maybe even the idea that America will soon be able to compete on the world stage when it comes to STEM curriculum.

Nova Host David Pogue performs his own number, which highlights certain problems that he sees in modern technology. PHOTO: Eli J. Mapes

Pogue Speaks of STEM Hope

Eli J. Mapes

     Nova host David Pogue spoke to a packed Meacham Auditorium about STEM education on Thursday, giving hope for America's future.

     As highlighted on Pogue's personal website, he is the author of many technology-based books, but his speech was based solely around America's STEM curriculum. STEM is an acronym for the type of classes that we teach our students. The classes are based around Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and are also major areas where America is falling behind in the world of education.

     Pogue said, "one out of four incoming freshman expect to major in a STEM subject." He went on to say that fewer than one quarter of those actually go on to graduate in a STEM subject. He attributes this to the harshness of the freshman "weed-out" classes. He says that evidence shows how these classes are scaring students away from key STEM degrees.

     But Pogue says that universities are now recognizing this trend and are trying new ways to keep kids in their degree programs. At the University of Notre Dame, they have completely done away with these classes. Incoming freshman are no longer in massive weed-out classes. The university has broken up the old 400-student lectures and brought them into smaller, more project oriented classes where they have more hands-on projects. This principle has changed their graduation rate in STEM degrees from roughly 50 percent, to nearly 90 percent.

     Pogue was brought to the University of Oklahoma by the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education as part of the Cathey Simmons Humphreys Distinguished Education Lecture Series, according to the College of Education's Director of Aulmni Outreach, Emily Mapes. Mapes said that Pogue seemed very excited to be in Oklahoma throughout his trip, and especially enjoyed the new OneU Store in the Union.

     Pogue's speech gave hope for the future of American higher education, and maybe even the idea that America will soon be able to compete on the world stage when it comes to STEM curriculum.

This is a stereotypical image of police officers that I found on Google from Wikipedia Commons. Officers have always been thought of as donut loving people, so this photo enforces that. What the photo does not tell us is whether this is a reoccurring theme for these officers. The stereotype would say that they can be found here every morning, but in all reality, this could be their first time stopping for donuts because they are on their way to a meeting. Maybe they're really more of the Sonic breakfast burrito type of police officers.

Beaver Pelt     PHOTO: Eli J. Mapes

The Gaylord Rotunda from The Third Floor Patio

PHOTO: Eli J. Mapes