STEM is an umbrella term for four subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths. Let’s learn why the popularity of STEM study programs is growing in the 21^st century, its benefits and about the universities offering STEM courses.

Key Highlights

• Importance of STEM based learning
• Benefits of STEM education

ü  Fosters imagination

ü  Encourages technological application

ü  Empowers experiential learning

ü  Promotes teamwork

ü  Encourages knowledge application

ü  Improves critical thinking skills

ü  Develops communication skills

ü  Boosts socio-emotional learning

ü  Enhances confidence

ü  Better job opportunities

• Best countries for studying STEM courses

Importance of STEM based learning

STEM education teaches different subjects by providing practical exposure through mandatory laboratory assignments and group projects. On the one hand, this learning experience will boost your domain knowledge, and on the other, it will ensure your overall development by inculcating 21^st century skills like fostering ingenuity, problem-solving skills and creativity, to name a few. Thus, being a STEM graduate will give you an edge over other applicants in national and international job markets.

Benefits of STEM education

Some of the essential benefits of enrolling in STEM education are as follows:

• Fosters imagination: Imagination and creativity are important aspects of STEM education. STEM learning encourages you to be curious, innovative, imaginative and think “out of the box” to solve complex issues.
• Encourages technological application: STEM education encourages the use of technology by keeping you abreast with technological developments and giving you the confidence to learn and embrace new technology (as technology is continuously evolving). This will help in gaining a competitive edge in the tech-centred world.
• Empowers experiential learning: The STEM educational curriculum relies heavily on experiential learning. The STEM activities for students motivate them to take risks and experiment with different things, learn from their failures and come up with better ideas. Experimenting frequently further helps in building resilience and makes them patient and quick thinkers.
• Promotes teamwork: Working in teams to solve different problems is a core element of the STEM curriculum. These assignments will teach you to work together with other batch mates, listen to their suggestions and ideas and form a unanimous opinion for completing the group activity. This teamwork teaches interpersonal and leadership skills and helps in shaping your overall personality.  
• Encourages knowledge application: An experience-based STEM education revolves around learning practical implementation of theoretical concepts. You will be encouraged to learn through projects and research. This learning approach will give you the confidence to develop new things or ask new questions, and research will help you find answers. This will make you competent in solving many day-to-day problems with a practical approach.
• Improves critical thinking skills: Critical thinking is the process of actively conceptualising, applying, analysing and evaluating information gathered via communication, reasoning and experience. The STEM curriculum teaches troubleshooting problems by using a logical reasoning approach. Development of critical thinking skills at earlier stages helps immensely to thrive in the academic and corporate environment and, thus, is counted as one of the main advantages of STEM education.
• Develops communication skills: Group activity is one of the core aspects of STEM learning that promotes effective communication, active listening and open-mindedness. The ability to convey your ideas to others and understand their opinions effectively plays a vital role in honing communication skills.
• Boosts socio-emotional learning: Socio-emotional learning (SEL) is an educational method that develops self-control, self-awareness and other interpersonal skills. STEM education creates a supportive environment where students are encouraged to experiment, participate in teamwork, build their strengths, understand their areas of improvement, and value differences. This eventually boosts socio-emotional learning and ensures academic and professional growth.
• Enhances confidence: STEM students are innovative, creative and critical thinkers with excellent communication and leadership qualities. These abilities develop a sense of achievement and give them the confidence to face the challenges of the fast-paced business world.
• Better job opportunities: Not only top-notch universities but even reputed companies around the globe are realising the importance of STEM education and are offering a myriad of job opportunities to STEM graduates with handsome packages.

Best countries for STEM-based learning

Some of the most famous countries and universities offering STEM degree programs are as follows:

Country	University
USA	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
UK	University of Oxford
Australia	Australian National University
Germany	Technical University Munich
Canada	University of Waterloo

 

So, if you are willing to pursue STEM courses but are facing financial constraints, there is no need to feel disheartened. We, at Avanse Financial Services, offer a customised education loan for studying abroad and studying in India. To know more about a student loan, education loan rate of interest and other benefits, contact us today.