The Sunday Mail
Prof Wilson Parawira
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are commonly grouped and known as STEM for short. This acronym is meant to symbolise the relationship that each of these disciplines has with the other and serves as a designation for a group of careers that are in demand and a national focus in the world.
As Zimbabwe embraces STEM education, most people are wondering what STEM careers are and this article provides an overview of STEM careers for students, parents and the general population.
There is no universally accepted definition of STEM, but it is generally agreed that STEM workers or employees use their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics to try to understand how the world works, provides goods and services, and to solve problems.
STEM occupations are identified in a variety of ways.
This article uses a list based on the Standard Occupational Classification Manual to analyse occupations from six groups, grouped under Life and Physical Sciences, Computer Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics and Social sciences. It is important to realise that STEM careers are closely related and build on each other.
For example, mathematics provides the foundation for physics – and physics, in turn, for engineering. Engineers can apply their knowledge of physics to make high-tech devices that are useful for testing theories in physics.
Advances in physics may then lead to advances in engineering and technology. For a better understanding of STEM, a brief description of each of the STEM disciplines can help.
Science
Science is both a body of knowledge and a process. Scientists study the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation.
Science is a process of discovery and a path to understanding that allows us to link isolated facts into coherent and comprehensive understandings of the natural world. Science is a way of learning about what is in the natural world, how the natural world works, and how the natural world got to be the way it is.
Science is exciting and interesting. Scientists are motivated by the thrill of seeing or figuring out something that no one has before. “Eureka!” or “aha!” moments may not happen frequently, but they are often experiences that drive science and scientists. Discoveries, new questions, and new ideas are what keep scientists going and awake at night, but they are only one part of the picture; the rest involves a lot of hard work.
Science is useful. The knowledge generated by science is powerful and reliable. It can be used to develop new technologies, treat diseases, and deal with many other sorts of problems mankind are facing today and in the future.
Science is ongoing. Science is continually refining and expanding our knowledge of the universe, and as it does, it leads to new questions for future investigation. Science will never be “finished”. Science remains a continuing effort on the part of human beings to discover and increase our knowledge through research and to improve the standard of living of people.
A discovery may itself be the result of many years of work on a particular problem. Millions of scientists all over the world are working to solve different parts of the puzzle of how the universe works, peering into its nooks and crannies, deploying their microscopes, telescopes, and other tools to unravel its secrets.
Accepted scientific ideas are reliable because they have been subjected to rigorous testing but as new evidence is acquired and new perspectives emerge these ideas can be revised. Science is a community endeavour relying on a system of checks and balances through peer evaluations, which helps ensure that science moves in the direction of greater accuracy and understanding.
Science develops literacy skills. Language and literacy skills are integral to knowing and doing science. Reading, writing and speaking are all essential to comprehending and communicating scientific issues and ideas. But literacy in science is more than just reading and writing: understanding the impact of science in our world provides opportunity to debate issues through written, oral, or visual presentations. This gives students opportunities to read, write, defend and communicate their findings in meaningful ways.
Science develops numeracy skills. Numeracy is integral to doing science. Students learn the skills of sorting and classifying, estimating and counting, measuring, graphing, collecting data and analysing are frequently used when doing science. Science investigations provide rich context and authentic opportunities to learn and use numeracy skills within the context of science. For instance, understanding and predicting how forces act on a structure involves science, mathematics and design technology through data collection, measurement, presentation and interpretation skills.
The main branches of natural science are Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
The distinctions between the natural science disciplines are not always sharp, and they share a number of cross-discipline fields.
A particular example of a scientific discipline that draws upon multiple natural science disciplines is Environmental Science.
To be continued . . .
Wilson Parawira is Professor of Microbiology and Biotechnology and is executive dean of the Faculty of Science at Bindura University of Science Education. Feedback: [email protected].
STEM Discipline(s) Occupation
Brief Job Summary
Life Sciences Careers
Biologists (Biological Scientists in various disciplines of Biological Sciences)
Biologists study life in all its different forms, researching important processes and how organisms relate to their environment.
Microbiologists
Microbiologists study micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi and some type of parasites. The try to understand how these organisms live, grow and interact with their environments.
Botanists
Botanists (sometimes known as plant biologists) study all forms of plants. They have many different job roles as their work can be used in many areas.
Zoologist and Wildlife Biologists
Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals and other wildlife and how they interact with their ecosystems. They study the physical characteristics of animals, animal behaviours and the impacts humans have on wildlife and natural habitats.
Biological Technicians
Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments.
Animal Scientists
Responsible for conducting research and experiments to breed, care for, and develop domestic farm animals. Explores and performs research on animal genetics, cross-breeds animals, and advises farmers on best ways to care for animals.
Soil and Plant Scientists
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
Agricultural Scientists
Agricultural scientists study and assess agricultural productivity. This role is heavily involved in ensuring all agricultural elements that go into food production are not only productive in nature, but are safe, too.
Biotechnologists
Working in areas as diverse as food and agriculture, environmental conservation and medicine, a biotechnologist uses biological organisms to create and improve products and processes. They study the genetic, chemical and physical attributes of cells, tissues and organisms, and identify practical uses for this knowledge. Using the techniques of molecular biology, they seek to understand and manipulate the basic building blocks of living things. The mapping of the genomes of living organisms, including human beings, has revolutionised biology while new frontiers are being opened with the study of protein chains and how they can be manipulated, creating a new and exciting field of study called proteomics.
Biochemist and Biophysicist
Biochemist and Biophysicist study the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes such as cell development, growth, heredity and disease.
Geneticist
Geneticists study genes, heredity and variation of living things. The study of genetics can be applied to all living things, whether they be bacteria, plants, animals or human beings
Medical Scientists/ Technologists
Medical Scientists/Technologists (commonly known as medical scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyse body fluids, tissue, and other substances.
Food Scientist and Technologists
Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyse food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.
Dietitians and Nutritionists
Dietitians and nutritionists are experts in the use of food and nutrition to promote health and manage disease. They advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal.
Conservation Scientists and Foresters
Conservation Scientists and Foresters manage the overall land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.
Forensic Scientists
Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analysing evidence. Many technicians specialize in either crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis. Most forensic science technicians spend some time writing reports.
Biology Teachers, Lecturers and Professors
Teach courses in their subject area, Conduct research and experiments to advance knowledge in their field. Their responsibilities include teaching and learning activities, research and community services.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. They also may conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunisations, oversee the medications given to patients, and provide advice on healthy lifestyles.
Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals.
Optometrists
Optometrists examine the eyes and other parts of the visual system. They also diagnose and treat visual problems and manage diseases, injuries, and other disorders of the eyes. They prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses as needed.
Veterinarians
Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to improve public health. They diagnose, treat and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock and other animals.
Epidemiologists
Epidemiologists are public health professionals who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury in humans. They seek to reduce the risk and occurrence of negative health. outcomes through research community education, and healthy policy.
Radiologic Technologists/ Radiologic and MRI Technologists
Radiologic technologists, also known as Radiographers, perform diagnostic imaging, examinations, such as X rays, on patients. MRI Technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images.
Dentists
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of the teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Physicians who provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth and those who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general medical care to women.
Physicians and Surgeons
Physicians and Surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Physicians examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications; and order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases such as cancerous tumours; and deformities, such as cleft palates.
Medical Scientists
Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.
Registered Nurses
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.
Physical Sciences
Chemists (Organic, Physical, Inorganic, Polymer, Material, etc)
Chemists and materials scientists study substances at the atomic and molecular levels and the ways in which the substances interact with one another. They use their knowledge to develop new and improved products and to test the quality of manufactured goods.
Physicists and Astronomers
Physicists and Astronomers study the ways in which various forms of matter and energy interact. Theoretical physicists and astronomers and astronomers may study the nature of time or the origin of the universe. Some physicists design and perform experiments with sophisticated equipment such as particle accelerators, electron microscopes, and lasers.
Nuclear Scientists
Nuclear engineers work in laboratories, plants, universities and government agencies. Often working in teams with other scientists, engineers may focus on a variety of nuclear-related projects, such as energy and power source development, environmental policy design or investigations into new ways of using radiological elements in industry and healthcare. Engineers in this field can often be found working in nuclear power plants, the aerospace industry, and manufacturing or in the military. Nuclear physicists use physical laws and theorems to study how the particles in an atom’s nucleus move and operate spatially. They typically work in research and can be found in fields such as electronics, energy, aerospace, communications or healthcare equipment. They spend most of their time in laboratories designing practical applications using nuclear physics.
Nuclear Technicians
Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers, and other professionals in nuclear research and nuclear energy production. They operate special equipment used in these activities and monitor the levels of radiation that are produced.
Hydrologists
Hydrologists study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust. They use their expertise to solve problems in the areas of water quality or availability.
Climatologists
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology. A climatologist studies long-term weather trends or climatology. With specialized training in meteorology, a climatologist can be responsible for collecting, analysing, and reporting climate in local, regional, and global locations.
