Writing and STEM: A Crucial Combination
When we think about what a scientist or a mathematician looks like, we rarely see a pen or pencil in hand composing a report or writing an essay. No, we think of the more glamorous side of conducting experiments and solving intricate mathematical situations.
However, one must realize, Writing is a tool to make thinking more lucid. Think about it; to be able to put words onto paper, one must extract information and then be able to portray its meaning clearly via words on a page. Carly Fiorina (former executive of Hewlett Packard) sums it up, “The goal is to transform data into information and information into insight.” Can a scientist or mathematician be considered successful with his/her theories if he/she has solved a complex problem yet cannot elucidate and interpret the solution in words? Root-Bernstein (2011) says, “Since words are our primary means of communicating, anyone who has not mastered their creative use is simply underprepared for any discipline, including STEM subjects.”
This is why writing must be a significant part of a STEM curriculum. In fact, it should accompany every assignment or problem proposed. Not only does it make one career ready because writing is a big part of any profession, but it helps one organize thoughts and clarify thinking.
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