What is STEM and how is it important to me?
STEM is a short form for the fields of study referring to teaching and learning in the categories of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
In recent decades there has been a steady decline in the number of students choosing to take courses related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This appears to start in Middle school (Junior High) and continues all the way through College. (Sources: Teach.com, ASQ, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education)
While there are many reasons for this occurrence, this phenomena, in turn, has affected the careers that students choose to pursue. Unfortunately, this translates into a lack of qualified workers in many Manufacturing and Scientific fields. This is so true that many Scientific and Industrial sectors have "sounded the alarm" that they cannot find properly trained employees in these critical areas. Our nations economic health is in jeopardy because of this. Students need an education with a solid foundation in STEM areas so that they are prepared to both work and live in the 21st century.
STEM education provides students with Science, Math, and Engineering/Technology in sequences that build upon each other and can be used with real-world applications. This in turn provides an opportunity for students to engage in "Career Exploration" which could lead to successful and satisfying, lifelong occupation.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
Faculty Contacts
Business Division Computer Information Systems Contacts
Transfer Pathways
Check out our program pathways by exploring degree's in the Applied Science and Engineering Technology Division and the Business Division, Computer Information Systems Area at MCCC.
Faculty Contacts
Transfer Pathways
General Engineering Transfer Pathway
Engineering
Engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems. Their work is the link between scientific discoveries and the commercial applications that meet societal and consumer needs. Engineers develop new products, work in testing, production or supervisory engineers are responsible for major components of entire projects.
An engineering technologist is a specialist dedicated to the development and implementation of existing technology within a field of engineering. Engineering technology education is more applied than the more theoretical science-based engineering degree education. Technologists often work with engineers on a wide variety of projects by applying basic engineering principles and technical skills.
Employment Opportunities, Scholarships, Professional Organizations, Student Clubs, O'NET Online
MCCC Workforce Development Office Employment Opportunities - http://www.collegecentral.com/monroeccc/
Michigan Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (MichiganHERC) - www.hercjobs.org/michigan/
Summer Internship Programs
Michigan State University, W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, KBS Internship Program -
http://www.kbs.msu.edu/education/internships-reu
NASA - http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/johnson/student-internships/
Summer Research Opportunities for Undergraduates
Biology and Microbiology
University of Georgia, Department of Microbiology –Research Experience for Undergraduates in Prokaryotic Biology -
http://mib.uga.edu/programs
Engineering
Michigan State University, College of Engineering – Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research
Experience (ENSURE) - https://www.egr.msu.edu/graduate/ensure
Chemistry and Chemical Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison – Research Experience for Undergraduates - Research Experience for
Undergraduates in Chemistry and Chemical and Biological Engineering –
http://ice.chem.wisc.edu/education/REU
Physics
Michigan State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy - Research Experience for
Undergraduates (REU) Summer Internship Program - https://pa.msu.edu/academics/reu-program/
Vanderbilt University, Department of Physics and Astronomy - Vanderbilt University Summer Research
Experiences for Undergraduates Program http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/physics/reu/index.htm
Mathematics
Michigan State University, Lyman Briggs College - Summer Undergraduate Research Institute In
Experimental Mathematics - http://www.lymanbriggs.msu.edu/
Various STEM Fields
University of Michigan, Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) -
http://www.rackham.umich.edu/prospective-students/srop
MCCC Scholarships
MCCC Scholarships listing - https://monroeccc.academicworks.com/opportunities
Outside Scholarships
NASA Scholarships - https://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/johnson/student-internships/index.html
Science
Natural Sciences
MichBio www.michbio.org
American Society for Microbiology (ASM) www.asmusa.org
Social Sciences
Student Resources from Psychology’s Professional Associations
American Psychological Association (APA): www.apa.org
APA listed Undergraduate Research Opportunities & Internships:
http://www.apa.org/education/undergrad/research-opps.aspx
APA Psychology Student Network (PSN): http://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/index.aspx
Psychology as a Core Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics Discipline:
http://www.apa.org/pubs/info/reports/stem-discipline.aspx
Association for Psychological Science: www.psychologicalscience.org
APS Student Caucus: http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/members/apssc
Midwestern Psychological Association: http://midwesternpsych.org/
Technology
ASE – Automotive Service Excellence https://www.ase.com/home.aspx
AWS - American Welding Society http://www.aws.org/w/a/
LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/
MIOSHA – Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
http://michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-61256_11407---,00.html
SWUGN - SolidWorks User Group Network http://www.swugn.org/
Engineering
ASNT - The American Society of Nondestructive Testing https://asnt.org/
NEI - Nuclear Energy Institute - http://www.nei.org/
SAE - Society of Automotive Engineers http://www.sae.org/
SME - Society of Manufacturing Engineers http://www.sme.org/
Math
Math and Science Society (MASS)
The Psychology Interest Group
SME Robotics
The MCCC Robitics Club
O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more!
O'Net Online - https://www.onetonline.org/