Why does the “M” in STEM always get treated as an afterthought?

Question

It’s either that or seen as something that the others need or use. But almost every STEM event for kids or STEM initiative at a university is actually a SE or STE event, M is just the required Algebra and Calc classes you need to do the others.

Answer 1

I think math has something of a PR problem, where most people just like math because they know they need it to do science/engineering. Plus, with kids, you can do some cool chemistry experiments or show off a cool robot or simple machine and it's super entertaining, whereas in math the 'wow' moments tend to require a bit more intellectual engagement and hence are harder to communicate quickly and broadly.

Answer 2

Because math on its own isn't extremely profitable for the majority of people that pursue it. Meanwhile, TE is basically guaranteed jobs, and S gets the glory because it comes first in the acronym. But really, S also has a lot of jobs.

Like, the majority of M pursuers actually end up in a STE career because there actually are jobs available for applied M in those domains. Only a very small percentage of M pursuers actually get to have a career in pure M.

But the truth is M is used in all of them. At the core of it, basically nothing can be done without the M foundation. M is the unsung hero of the group. But at the higher range of M, it becomes unapplied and nearly purely theoretical also, which in turn means less jobs, for now at least.

And the world is run by money.

Answer 3

At my university, the faculties of Sciences and 'Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences' recently merged. Guess what the new faculty was called...




Science, Engineering and Technology.

[facepalm]

Answer 4

Maybe someone could throw a "proof jam"

Answer 5

That's not new I think. English is the only language I know of where the word 'science' doesn't include mathematics by default.

Answer 6

probably because people are taught by shitty teachers and implicitly pick up that they are supposed to find it difficult and scary and be proud of hating it, because that's what everyone else is like. so you have to leave out as much math as possible or the vast majority of people will actively avoid it.

Answer 7

When people think of science or engineering, they think of people solving real world problems, making advancements in society through technology or other means, fixing infrastructure, and more.

Truth is most mathematicians, mainly the pure math kind rarely or almost never care about that stuff. They just want to do math for fun.

As you have seen, majority of people couldn't care less and so math is not remembered.

Do scientists and engineers use math? Yup. Difference is that the math they're doing (in society's eyes) is actually contributing meaningful outcomes or having an impact.

So, universities reflect that. Think, the people bringing in big grant money?

Engineers and scientists

The people giving a university media attention and funding?

Engineers and scientists

Unless you have mathematicians on the calibre + fame of say Terrace Tao or who are field medalist, society couldn't care less for your average mathematician.

Answer 8

I once saw someone refer to the M in STEM as manufacturing and I've never been more livid.

Answer 9

The M actually stands for Masochism.

Answer 10

Personally, I disagree. The M is the foundation of all the others (I'm a chemist, not a methematician)mathematician. Without math, S, T, and E are useless.