Tag: High School – 9th through 12th Grade

12 Hot STEM Careers Right Now

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So, you’re an accomplished STEM student with lots of awards and coursework to prove it. Now what? Whether you’re a college student deciding upon your major or a recent college graduate, it’s a bit overwhelming to select the discipline that’s best for you. The good news is that the STEM field offers a wide range of exciting and lucrative opportunities. Here, we explore 12 of the hottest STEM careers in high demand right now.

Technology

1. Cyber Security or Information Security Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts protect computer networks and systems from cyber threats, develop security measures, and conduct risk assessments to ensure data privacy and prevent cyber attacks.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree or higher in a technology-related field, such as computer science.
Examples of jobs: Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Network Security Engineer, Penetration Tester, Incident Response Analyst.

2. UX/UI Design

UI UX Designers create the user interface for an app, website or other interactive media. Their work includes collaborating with product managers and engineers to gather requirements from users before designing ideas that can be communicated using storyboards. They also develop user flow and sitemaps.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree and graphic design, fine arts or computer applications. Familiarity with coding, including HTML and CSS.
Examples of jobs: User Researcher, Wireframe Expert, Content Strategist, Information Architect (UX designer), Usability Tester.

3. Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Developer

AR/VR Developers create immersive digital experiences by blending virtual elements with the real world. They design and develop applications for gaming, education, training, and simulations, pushing the boundaries of interactive technology.
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and advantageous if you have a digital portfolio. Familiarity with programming languages: C#, Java, Python, and JavaScript and a basic understanding of Extended Reality, also called XR.
Examples of jobs: AR/VR Content Developer, Content Strategist, User Experience Designer, Animator or Sound Artist.

Engineering

4. Software Engineer or Software Developer

A Software Engineer or Software Development Engineer is responsible for developing software programs or systems that align with user needs. Their duties include meeting with clients or business professionals to strategize ideas for beneficial software, coordinating with other IT professionals to design software and running tests to catch coding errors. More about software engineers.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in software engineering, computer science, information technology or a related field. Familiarity with programming languages such as Java, Swift, or C#.
Examples of jobs: Software Engineer, Mid-Level Software Engineer, Senior Software Engineer.

5. Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers combine engineering principles with medical sciences to design and develop innovative healthcare solutions. They work on developing medical devices, prosthetics, and imaging systems, as well as researching and improving healthcare technologies. More about biomedical engineering jobs.
Educational requirements: Biomedical engineering programs help you gain specialized knowledge in the area, but general engineering majors with biology coursework are suitable.
Examples of jobs: Software Developer, Hardware Engineer, Medical Scientist, Genetic Engineer, Rehabilitation Engineer.

6. Renewable Energy Engineer

Renewable Energy Engineers design, develop and optimize renewable energy systems such as solar, wind, and geothermal, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change. Careers in renewable energy include those in solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, and tidal power generation.
Educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in renewable energy or a related field.
Examples of jobs: Solar Project Manager, Renewable Energy Projects and Operations, Solar Energy Systems Engineer, Renewable Energy Consultant, Biochemist, Wind Technician.

For more information about the various engineering (and career) fields, read NSTEM’s blog article: https://nstem.org/staging/2021/10/8-stem-majors-for-students-interested-in-engineering/.

Mathematics

Photo courtesy of The Muse

7. Data Analyst

Data scientists extract insights from large and complex datasets. They use statistical techniques, data analysis and machine learning algorithms to identify patterns, make predictions, and drive data-informed decision-making for businesses in a variety of industries–including technology, healthcare and manufacturing. Here are 8 types of data professionals in high demand.
Educational requirements: Entry-level analysts often have a bachelor’s degree, while senior analysts may have a master’s degree or higher in their respective fields. Senior analysts are often competent in different programming languages, such as R and Python. They often have experience with Tableau and SQL.
Examples of jobs: Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Business Intelligence Analyst, Logistics Analyst, Data Architect, Business Systems Analyst, Marketing Analyst.

8. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI Engineers develop algorithms, create intelligent systems and design AI models for various applications like robotics, natural language processing and computer vision. Mathematical topics like vectors, matrixes, functions, gradients, and information theory are all topics that help you develop AI programs.
Educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on statistical and analytical skills, such as math or computer science.
Examples of jobs: Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Robotics Engineer, Marketing Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, Logistics Analyst, Business Systems Analyst.

9. Actuary

Actuaries investigate and interpret the financial costs of risk and uncertainty for businesses. They use tools from mathematics, statistics and financial theory to help companies to assess specific risks and help them develop strategies to alleviate that risk. Some work in healthcare to help insurance companies and medical facilities identify costs related to risk and investments.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, actuarial science, statistics or another analytical field.
Examples of jobs: Actuary, Business Analyst, Risk Analyst, Chief Risk Officer (CRO).

Sciences

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10. Microbiologist

A microbiologist is a scientist who studies microorganisms, such as viruses, algae, fungi, bacteria and parasites. Through their experiments and research, microbiologists attempt to understand how microorganisms behave and interact with their environment and how they cause disease. They work in pharmaceutical, agriculture, food production and environmental-science vertical markets.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, while more advanced work and independent study require a Ph.D.
Examples of jobs: Biotechnologist, Clinical Lab Scientist, Immunologist, Mycologist, Cosmetic Scientist, Food Scientist, Pharmaceutical Scientist, Marine Biologist.

11. Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study and plan for the spread of infectious diseases that can become epidemics. They conduct studies by observing people, interviewing them or collecting bodily samples, analyzing data to predict and plan for epidemic events, and discussing their findings in reports to policymakers and the public.
Education requirements: It’s common for epidemiologists to have a master’s degree in public health.
Examples of jobs: Clinical Lab Scientist, Public Health Nurse, Infection Preventionist, Data Analyst.

12. Physician Assistant (PA)

Physician Assistants perform medical duties under the supervision of a physician. They are responsible for conducting patient exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses, ordering tests, interpreting test results, assisting in surgeries and prescribing medications.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in science or health care and a master’s degree from a graduate-level physician assistant program.
Examples of jobs: PA in a hospital, physician’s office or outpatient clinic.

TIP: Our friends at PBS and Nova Labs offer an amazing database of career descriptions and resources for further exploration of the STEM disciplines. Check it out here: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/opportunities/resources/

NSTEM also has a wonderful database! Its vast resources provide thousands of STEM resources that are searchable by category, school level and state. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships and more. Check out a free sample here. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.

By Maureen Ryan Thorpe

When a college/university student achieves membership in the National STEM Honor Society, the recognition, like many colleges, is in a Greek letter format. For the National STEM Honor Society, Epsilon Theta Mu is the designated recognition for members at the college/university level. Students are distinguished and stand out as a result of this recognition, increasing appealing employment and educational opportunities.

July 3, 2023
The 3 Most Exciting High School Science Educators and What They Have to Say!

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Do you want to find the most interesting science from real highschool educators? Look no further with these awesome speeches that’ll really make you want to do more with science. With these amazing speeches and resources by NSTEM you will be able to have fun and share it with your friends!

1. Science Talk: A Tool for Learning Science and Developing Language:

Science talk is amazing because it exposes learners to many new ideas. Also, this has professional educators talking about all different ranges of science from just talking about it to just teaching it. It also provides written information and videos with this. To learn more, you should check it out here!

2. Wiley Online Library:

This is an online library that is completely free for everyone to use. It is a great platform for highschool students to find scholarly journals, lectures, and teachings in all different fields of science. This is heavily used and recommended for college students, however high school students use it as well. To find out more about this library you should check out this website!

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3. Teched Gov Files:

This is not a singular website but actually multiple different pdf/files for whatever science topic you would like to learn more about. This is a very good tool when you want to find out specific information and topics for a science field. This is so great because you can just search for the specific topic you want to learn about and then follow it by tech.ed.gov and you will be able to see many different files about your science topic.

by Francesca Lisbino

Project-based learning enrichment provides high school students with college and career readiness. It gives them real world relevance, transforming students into collaborators and imaginative problem solvers. They will gain the upper hand in a global landscape, stemming from enhanced confidence and grit. NSTEM provides these young STEM enthusiasts with a close community of like-minded fellow students and educators. To start your 9-12 Chapter of the National STEM Honor Society, click here.

June 28, 2023
Learn How to Code in High School with these Five Coding Tips

Do you want to become a whiz at coding? Here are 5 Tips for high schoolers to ACE learning how to code!

(Morillo, 2018)

1. Have a group of friends interested in coding? Why not learn together! Learning how to code with some friends helps, especially when you can depend on each other for any challenges you face (Computer Science in High School)!

2. Also, block-based coding is great if you’re starting to learn how to code. Blockly (developers.google.com/blockly) is a website that you can use to get to know coding languages better in fun ways, including Java and Python (Blockly, Maya Bello, 2021)!

3. Next, see if your school has an AP computer science class you can take to learn about coding, or consider doing an introductory coding course at a community college in your area (Maya Bello, 2021)!

4. Additionally, high schoolers could seek mentors to provide guidance, knowledge, and help them create a professional network in coding (Hazzard, 2021)!

5. Finally, websites for learning skills, such as Udemy and Cousera, have tons of coding classes to choose from, and they can be done online (Maya Bello, 2021)!

So for those of you who want to go far in the coding world, whether you’re starting out or you want to develop your existing skills, following these tips are a good head start for now, and for your future!

Project-based learning enrichment provides high school students with college and career readiness. It gives them real world relevance, transforming students into collaborators and imaginative problem solvers. They will gain the upper hand in a global landscape, stemming from enhanced confidence and grit. NSTEM provides these young STEM enthusiasts with a close community of like-minded fellow students and educators. To start your 9-12 Chapter of the National STEM Honor Society, please visit this link https://nstem.org/staging/start-a-chapter .

by Destini Watson

The following are resources from the National STEM Honors Society Resources section of our website for members. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships, and more. Check out a free sampling here. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.

View the High School National STEM Honor Society experience here! https://nstem.org/staging/high-school

June 28, 2023
3 Top Secrets to Crushing the Math SAT

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Are you ready to take on the Math SAT? Being prepared for the Math SAT will make your SAT experience much easier. There are strategies, resources, and tricks that will help you earn a high score on the exam. Here are the three top secrets you need to know to crush the Math SAT.

1.Research the Math SAT

Getting information about the Math SAT will help you prepare yourself for the exam. Having information about the exam material, conditions of the exam, and the resources available to you will increase your chances of getting the score you want. The official SAT website contains information that details what you need to know for the test. The three primary types of math tested in the exam include the Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis as well as some additional topics in math. There is 25 minutes available to complete the no-calculator section, while there is 55 minutes available for the calculator portion. With this information, you can familiarize yourself with the exam to feel less nervous while taking the test. Knowledge is power and having the right information will help you find success.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice

In order to achieve the score you want, you need to practice what you learned since knowing is only half the battle. It is important to practice taking the exam with the same conditions as the real test. Remember to use a timer to give you the same time limits as the exam. Make sure to have a calculator and reference sheet ready for your practice tests. Getting used to taking the SAT will help you feel less nervous while testing as well as help prevent mistakes from happening. Another benefit from practice tests is how they allow you to know your strengths and weaknesses based on the answers you got correct or wrong. Most practice tests have an answer key that helps with grading your own test. After taking a practice test, make sure to review the questions you got wrong. You can find official downloadable practice tests at CollegeBoard’s website.

3. Use Khan Academy’s Resources

Khan Academy is one of the best available free resources to prepare for the SAT. Students can watch videos, practice math questions, and read strategies on the website. Khan Academy has custom study plans based on your strengths and weaknesses in different math topics. If you are struggling with a specific question, you can find videos that break down how to solve the question. You can even find other questions that are similar to the one you struggle with for extra practice. The best part is that Khan Academy uses official SAT practice materials to help drastically improve your scores. The website’s design allows you to stay engaged with studying for the SAT since it allows you to create your own study schedule. You can choose to break up your studying between each day or focus on studying for longer sessions for fewer days. The amount of flexibility and ease of use found within Khan Academy allows for more customizable study plans. Visit Khan Academy’s website if you want to start improving right away.

by Nathan Li

Do you want more resources on the topic of SAT preparation? NSTEM’s vast resources database provides thousands of STEM resources that are searchable by category, school level and state. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships and more. Check out a free sampling here. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.

Project-based learning enrichment provides high school students with college and career readiness. It gives them real world relevance, transforming students into collaborators and imaginative problem solvers. They will gain the upper hand in a global landscape, stemming from enhanced confidence and grit. NSTEM provides these young STEM enthusiasts with a close community of like-minded fellow students and educators. To start your 9-12 Chapter of the National STEM Honor Society, click here.

June 28, 2023
The Top 3 Stimulating STEM Guest Speakers You Must Incorporate in Your Classroom Today

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As an high school, incorporating STEM guest speakers into your classroom can be a great way to inspire your students and give them a better understanding of the diverse careers available in the field. There are many different types of STEM guest speakers you can invite to speak to your class, each with their own unique perspective and experience. Here are three examples of STEM guest speakers you should consider incorporating into your classroom today:

1. Neurosurgeon

Inviting a neurosurgeon to speak to your class can give your students a deeper understanding of the brain and how it works. This can be particularly valuable for students interested in pursuing careers in the medical field. The neurosurgeon can discuss their daily routine and what it takes to become a neurosurgeon. They can also talk about some of the most exciting and challenging cases they have worked on, and what it is like to work in a surgery theater. This can give your students a better understanding of the importance of critical thinking and problem solving in the medical field. Here is an NSTEM resources to find guest speakers!

2. Software Engineer

Having a software engineer speak to your class can be a great way to introduce students to the world of coding and programming. The software engineer can talk about what they do on a daily basis, and how they use different programming languages and tools to create software applications. They can also discuss the different steps involved in developing a software product, including design, development, and testing. This can give your students a better understanding of the process of creating software and the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Here is an NSTEM resources to find guest speakers!

3. Architect

Inviting an architect to speak to your class can be a great way to introduce students to the field of architecture. The architect can discuss their daily routine and what it takes to become an architect. They can also talk about some of the most exciting and challenging projects they have worked on, such as designing skyscrapers, bridges, and even schools. This can give your students a better understanding of the importance of creativity and innovation in the field of architecture. Here is an NSTEM resources to find guest speakers!

Overall, these three guest speakers are great matches for high school classrooms as they can give students a deeper understanding of the importance of critical thinking and problem solving in the fields of medicine, software development, and architecture. And, by incorporating these guest speakers, you can inspire your students to pursue their own STEM interests and learn more about the wide range of career opportunities available in STEM fields.

by Lakshya Jain

Do you want more resources on the topic of guest speakers for high school students? NSTEM’s vast resources database provides thousands of STEM resources that are searchable by category, school level and state. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships and more. Check out a free sampling here. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.

Project-based learning enrichment provides high school students with college and career readiness. It gives them real world relevance, transforming students into collaborators and imaginative problem solvers. They will gain the upper hand in a global landscape, stemming from enhanced confidence and grit. NSTEM provides these young STEM enthusiasts with a close community of like-minded fellow students and educators. To start your 9-12 Chapter of the National STEM Honor Society, click here.

June 16, 2023
The Top 3 Technology Educators You Should Know as a High School Student

Are you looking for resources to help students be inspired by technology? Here are 3 podcasts, with 4 guests in total who have insight about tech in high schools!

Photo courtesy of Do

1. The EdSurge Podcast

This is run by Jeffrey Young, an editor and reporter for EdSurge.com, which is a newsroom that focuses on teaching and learning (Jeffrey R. Young, nd; EdSurge, n.d). On the podcast episode “How High School Should Change for an Era of AI and Robots,” Young interviewed Jim Tracy, a former college president and former employee at K-12 schools, and Greg Toppo, who’s an education journalist (Young, 2022). Tracy and Toppo speak about the fictional book they’ve authored, called Running with Robots. Some of it discusses highschool students collecting literary great Ernest Hemmingway’s writings and making a holograph-like version of him comprised of those writings; and they interact with the holograph. The authors believe that in reality, humans and tech advancements could transform classrooms in innovative ways, and even students themselves could make these tech advancements. (Young, 2022).

2. Easy EdTech Podcast

This is run by Dr. Monica Burns, who is a “curriculum and edtech consultant, author, and founder of ClassTechTips.com.” (Monica Burns, n.d). On episode 168 of the Easy EdTech Podcast, she talks with sociology professor and author of Redefining Geek, Dr. Cassidy Puckett about how to help teens be tech savvy (Burns, 2022). Puckett stated five tips, some of which included keeping frustration and boredom controlled, and determining if the technology a student learns is applicable to what they want to gain from it (Burns, 2022).

3. The Love of EdTech

This podcast is hosted by Kara Hutchinson, an elementary school teacher with tech experience, and Caryn Kelley, a former middle school teacher, with tech experience. Both have gained tech knowledge through working in school libraries (About the Podcast, n.d). They interviewed Jennifer Moorman, a highschool art teacher who spoke about how she instructs her students to use google maps to create a presentation about an artist’s life, using geography. This project helped her realize that students are more invested in class with this project. Students can even see a depiction of a particular place from decades ago. According to her students, she’s learned that they enjoy looking at aspects of the world geographically through this project. (Kelley and Hutchinson, 2022)

These podcasts each contained good insight! Listening to them in full could provide high school students and educators with interesting perspectives on tech!

by Destini Watson

Do you want more resources on the topic of technology for High Schoolers? NSTEM’s vast resources database provides thousands of STEM resources that are searchable by category, school level and state. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships and more. Check out a free sampling here. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.

Project-based learning enrichment provides high school students with college and career readiness. It gives them real world relevance, transforming students into collaborators and imaginative problem solvers. They will gain the upper hand in a global landscape, stemming from enhanced confidence and grit. NSTEM provides these young STEM enthusiasts with a close community of like-minded fellow students and educators. To start your 9-12 Chapter of the National STEM Honor Society, click here.

These resources are from the National STEM Honor Society Resources section of our website for members.

View the High School National STEM Honor Society experience here: https://nstem.org/staging/high-school/.

June 16, 2023