STEM vs STEAM – Fidelis Fengu
11 February 2016
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Fidelis Fengu writes
Fidelis Fengu writes
STEM Vs STEAM the need for a national exorcism, the heading sounds dramatic and controversial but I promise you the article is very sober.

So, a national newspaper carried a story that pits STEM against STEAM, that really is none of my business and the headline was to colonise your attention for the next 5mins. I am inspired to focus on the 4th Industrial Revolution and the role of STEAM (hot air) or STEM and the need for a national exorcism ceremony.
As the world embraces the dawn of the 4th industrial revolution Zimbabwe is slowly positioning herself towards her role as a formidable regional player in this revolution.
The 4th industrial revolution is a technology based revolution that requires a STEM-atic approach to socio-economic development. We have been lagging behind as a nation due to several variables that could have been countered through Science and Technology.
Global science and technology advancements are rapidly exacerbating the existing international security threats and creating new ones.The STEM-atic advancements that other countries are making will widen the global inequality gap, and they equally present an opportunity to bridge the development gap between the developed and developing countries.
Zimbabwe needs unity and focus on a STEM-atic approach to development, more than we need the succession debate, and other un-becoming tendencies to use development programs as a political battlefield.
It is sad to note that our Science and Tech development will be stifled by a disconnect that exists between policy makers and experts in the fields. Our policy makers are busy using their steam to battle STEM at whose expense ?
STEM is a global trend as the world prepares for a 4th industrial revolution. Other countries have developed technologies to produce more grain inspite of climate change and its effects , while we slug each other in the media for cheap political points that have adverse effects on the GDP and economic climate.
Our politicians and policy makers need to prioritise science and technology discussions as these will improve our efficiency, productivity and present solutions to a sizeable majority of our problems.
Equally our foreign and industrial policy formulation now need a STEM-centric approach , we need to operate to major our mega-deals on technology transfer as a key component to our development and growth process. Zimbabwe needs to transform herself from being China’s all weather beggar-buddie to China’s development partner.
While we need money we should prioritise tapping into China’s technological advancement, and use this to create a value proposition that sets us apart from other African countries as an investment destination.
Maybe we need a science and technology development road map that has science and tech milestones, which will translate into national assets and development tools, hopefully we won’t waste resources on Olivia Muchena Jatropha-type projects and their grand failure tendencies.
My challange to the STEMers and STEAMers is for them to take the science and technology emphasis beyond curriculum and policy documents to a workable national technology development program that will position us to become a global player in the 4th industrial revolution. We will not realise industrial growth and improved productivity and competitiveness without a Technological revolution .
A unity of purpose and resolve to develop Zimbabwe is necessary for us to accomplish Unity, peace and development in this lifetime.

2 Replies to “STEM vs STEAM – Fidelis Fengu”

  1. Am just thinking that STEM excludes those school children in the rural areas
    who are disadvantaged because their schools lack facilities for them to learn science subjects
    since independence. The gap between those in towns and those children in the rural areas is too huge. First all schools should have the same facilities before this program can be rolled out in all fairness. Also it means more science teachers will be required. Where is that manpower coming from when most have left for the Diaspora for better pay??

  2. Am just thinking that STEM excludes those school children in the rural areas
    who are disadvantaged because their schools lack facilities for them to learn science subjects
    since independence. The gap between those in towns and those children in the rural areas is too huge. First all schools should have the same facilities before this program can be rolled out in all fairness. Also it means more science teachers will be required. Where is that manpower coming from when most have left for the Diaspora for better pay??

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