Stay curious: How STEM opportunities can change the world

By Mallory Goeke
Communications Specialist

Our country and our world are experiencing technological advances at a rapid pace. We often hear stories about the next new invention that improves lives makes headlines.

The roads we traveled on, the water system that we drink from, and even items like our smart phones had to be invented and engineered by someone. Who knows? maybe someone who reads this article could create the next big invention.

Any new discovery or piece of technology requires knowledge and the critical thinking skills to create change. And that is where Science, Technology, Engineering and Math comes in. 

According to the U.S. Department of Education, STEM programs help us understand the world by preparing students with the knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information and interpret data to make decisions and choices that will lead us into the future. 

In an article by the PEW Research Center, STEM occupations have grown 79% since 1990. That means there are 17.3 million jobs related to these fields today. Jobs in scientific and technological fields pay well and those who work in those jobs are making a big difference and saving lives.

Students today may not realize it now, but the choices they make and the classes they attend will have an impact on the world around them. Now is the time to begin thinking about how they can create change.

Students had the opportunity to attend a STEM Camp sponsored by KDOT at Washburn University earlier this summer.

The Smithsonian Institute presented this scenario: There are four billion people on the planet who use a mobile phone. In the past two years, 90% of all of Earth’s data has been generated. The future is already here and citizens of the world who are fluent in STEM are needed.

In January 2018, The PEW Research Center found the U.S. placed 38/71 in math and 24^th in science. One reason could be that some students do not expand past what is familiar and comfortable.

Change and growth takes time and it means stretching past our comfort zones to learn and improve. We should be expanding our limits and learning new skills.

After all, if we had never looked to the stars and felt unsatisfied with not knowing what’s beyond our atmosphere, would we ever have made it to the moon and beyond?

Changing the world knows no age limitation. A recent story from NPR featured Nora Keegan, a fifth grader who wanted to make a difference for children who were overwhelmed by the noise that hand dryers produce. Using a professional decibel meter, she visited more than 40 public restrooms between 2015 and 2017. She discovered that public hand dryers do produce noise that exceeds 100 decibels, which can lead to hearing loss, learning disabilities and ruptured ear drums. 

Nora is 13 now, and her studies were recently published in the Canadian Journal Paediatric and Child Health.

So, whether you are a student, entering the work force or you’re already have a career it’s never too late to learn something new.  

We encourage everyone to stay curious and look for opportunities where they can change their world.

Class is in session: Back-to-school safety part one

School is back in session for many this month. The inevitable return to classes means that an increase in safety is needed. We will be sharing a few blogs about back to school safety.

Back to School: Safety Session #1 – Driving  

With the end of the dog days of summer, family vacations and summer camps are over and the beginning of another school year is upon us. More than 50 million children will soon be heading back to school. That means increased traffic and congestion as kids and parents hurry off to school every morning.  Being prepared and taking a few extra precautions as a driver can help improve safety. 

• Ditch the distractions.  Children can be quick — whether it’s crossing the street, darting out to pick up something they’ve dropped or emerging from between parked cars.  Drivers need to focus on driving —shut off your cell phone, use the “do not disturb” feature on your mobile device or toss it in the back seat so you’re not tempted to check it. 
• Slow down and allow extra time.
• Seat belts save lives. Always remember to buckle up.

Share the road with young pedestrians.

• Don't block the crosswalk.  This forces pedestrians to go around you and could put them in the path of moving traffic.
• Always stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection.
• Watch for school crossing guards and obey their signals.
• Watch for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks and in all residential areas.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

Share the road with teen drivers.

A new school year means newly-licensed teen drivers will be navigating traffic, drop off areas and parking lots, which can mean a potential for more incidents.  According to the National Safety Council, teen crashes spike in September and happen more commonly in the mornings and afternoons, when school begins and ends. Drivers need to keep these tips in mind:

• When dropping off your kids at school, be on high alert for new teen drivers.
• Keep in mind that new drivers may not have the skills that come from experience, such as gauging gaps in traffic, reading the general flow of traffic on roads and having situational awareness while driving in congested areas.
• Give teen drivers the space they need as they learn to navigate traffic, drop-off/pick-up procedures and parking lots.

Know your school’s drop-off procedure

• Be familiar with your school’s drop-off procedures and keep the following tips in mind:
• Don't double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles.
• Don't load or unload children across the street from the school.

Share the road with school buses

According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are four to seven years old, and they're walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe around buses:

• Never pass a bus if it is stopped to load or unload children.
• If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.
• Be alert; children often are unpredictable and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks.

Share the road with bicyclists

Children on bikes may not be able to properly determine traffic conditions and safety.  Use care when sharing the road with bicyclists.  

• When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave three feet between your car and the bicyclist.
• When turning left with a bicyclist approaching from the opposite direction, wait for the bicyclist to pass.
• If you're turning right and a bicyclist is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, then proceed with the turn.