Writing Assignment 1

Although there are many advantages of having a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, there are several disadvantage of focusing on STEM education rather than language arts. Firstly, individuals are not trained to express a personal point of view. This is because STEM focuses on definitions, formulae and concepts, and those have been around for hundreds of years and have somewhat been set in stone. Thus, individuals in the STEM education usually memorize and regurgitate, from having no room for questioning. However, questions asked from a language arts education are usually debatable - one is free to express/ explore one's own view as there are no right or wrong answers. Therefore, through the lack of educational exposure, STEM individuals are not trained to express a personal point of view. The second disadvantage, naturally, would be the inadequancies of STEM individuals in dealing with societal/ human-related problems. Although STEM individuals are able to apply their knowledge to technical questions. Newton's Law, for example, however effective in the realm of STEM, cannot usually be applied to solve most human-related conflicts. By not being exposed to an adequate amount of societal/ human psychology modules that a language arts programme would usually offer, STEM individuals may be less aware of societal/ human needs, and therefore may not be as adept at handling human-related provblems. The third disadvantage is focusing too much on STEM education may develop individuals tha are too 'one-sided'. While STEM makes one smart, history makes one wise, music gives one expression and culture gives one depth. Focusing on other subjects other than science, technology, engineering and math might develop a more complete individual. In conclusion, though docusing on STEM education might be key to resolving the "Grand Challenges", one should be aware that there are possible disadvantages as well.

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