The Importance of STEM and Robotics

The importance of STEM(science, technology, engineering and math) is very prevalent in our community. The Robotics team at Semiahmoo Secondary is a student led and managed club with the purpose of educating its members with STEM and robotics for their future.

Learning about STEM and robotics is a valuable skill and our current school system does not do enough. The near future will provide our community with one of the largest workforce transitions in the history of mankind, jobs will be lost, but millions of more jobs will be created. STEM education will provide young students with the resources necessary to be successful in the industries involving STEM and robotics.

Although some schools offer a robotics and electronics course, very little is being done to help educate young people about robotics. This is the driving factor behind the Semiahmoo Secondary Robotics Club. Together, we learn and teach each other about STEM and robotics to prepare ourselves for the competitive and rapidly changing workplace.

We have asked two of our members to provide us with their thoughts about why STEM and Robotics Education is important to them.

To me, and probably many others in our team, being part of a cohesive group learning about Robotics and STEM education has provided me with many opportunities that I never would have had otherwise in any other circumstances. Honestly, when I first started with the team I knew almost nothing about STEM or Robotics, but gradually throughout the months I began to learn skills including fields in building, and programming, but what caught my eye was the marketing side of things. I’ve always wanted to learn about the business and financial side of things and being in the team and learning about STEM provided me with opportunities to do so. In essence that is why I think STEM and Robotics education is so important...it will provide you with opportunities if you try hard enough.

-Nattapon Khaotumas

Semiahmoo Senior Robotics Team

I think that the effects of the robotics industry will affect all jobs across all industries. With new advancements in robotics that will revolutionize all industries, everyone will need a basic understanding of robotics and STEM in order to have an edge against the competition. It’s important that we start educating ourselves on how robotics will affect our work and how we can start ahead of the curve. I think another important aspect of our club is it also creates lots of opportunities, in term of work, internships or even scholarships.

Kyle Groulx

Semiahmoo Senior Robotics Team