Impact of Stem Education in Overcoming Poverty

Abstract

Poverty in general is a state in which one lacks financial resources and essentials. Modern-day poverty is understood as a complex, multi-dimensional set of issues, introducing it in a relative manner rather than a single idea. Intellectual and ethical poverty are the two main types of poverty that are related to education, and both could be overcome by education. Mainly, intellectual poverty could be overcome by providing access to knowledge, critical thinking skills, information, and technology, while ethical poverty could be overcome mainly by social development and commitment of individuals. STEM is a teaching and learning process that combines Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and STEAM is the recent inclusion of Arts. STEM education provides opportunities for students to enhance problem-solving skills, and to become innovators, critical thinkers, and technologically literate. This study identified the definition of poverty in general and the definition of STEM education. It also identified the STEM education systems in the world and in Sri Lanka, and the methods involved in overcoming poverty through STEM education in Sri Lanka, by investigating and reviewing literature, acquiring information from specialists in the field. In Sri Lanka, industries, Research and Development (R&D), farmers, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) could be empowered with STEM education. As a result, Sri Lanka will be able to come out of the poverty cycle by increasing its purchasing power. This will lead to the socio-economic stability of the country making it move forward as a nation with sustained health, wealth, and happiness among Sri Lankans.