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| David Pogue speaks in front of OU students and professors at the Meachem Auditorium (Photo by Ryan King) |
Improving science and math literacy, creative academic strategies, and a lack of tech-savvy graduates were the core of David Pogue’s speech when he came to the University of Oklahoma on Thursday afternoon.
Pogue hosts the NOVA ScienceNow and Making Stuff programs on PBS and continuously writes columns on personal technology for Yahoo Tech.
Pogue’s speech centered on a lack of outgoing graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (or STEM for short) and how to better prepare those choosing to go into those fields.
“In higher education we’re weeding out students” said Pogue, “and we have to change that.”
Pogue’s speech sent an urgent message about science and technology education in America today.
According to a Baltimore Sun report, STEM jobs are growing 1.7 times faster than other non-STEM jobs. Yet according to numbers cited in Pogue’s speech, only 5% of our current college graduates are getting degrees in those STEM fields.
“America ranks 25th in the world in math testing scores” said Pogue during one of the info graphic sections of his presentation, “that’s us, right behind Latvia.”
Pogue stressed initiatives from the Obama administration as well as unique teaching methods being implemented in STEM classes at schools like Notre Dame and MIT as positive signs for the future of those fields.
Interspersed between his messages on increasing science literacy in America were clips and outtakes from his various hosting gigs on PBS, plenty of laughs, and a closing that featured Pogue stepping behind a piano to perform a handful of his comedic technology songs.
The audience featured a mix of students, professors, mothers with their children, technology and PBS fans, and some who fit into more than one of those categories.
“We love David,” said Jill Hughes, “NOVA is our favorite show.”
Hughes is the Executive Director of Development for the College of Engineering at OU as well as the mother of a 5 year-old son.
“He was funny and very spot-on, we were very impressed.”
The discussion continued after the presentation and musical performance when Pogue stayed for a brief Q&A with audience members, where topics such as Yahoo CEO Marissa Meyer’s work with the company and the lack of diversity in STEM fields came up.
“You can’t blame it all on the system,” Pogue said of the lack of minorities and women in STEM fields, “sometimes it’s more of an interest thing.”
Roughly half of those graduating with engineering degrees are white men, according to a US News report. Pogue’s message hit home for many audience members such as Amy McGovern, a professor of computer science at OU.
“The lack of diversity in these fields is a definite problem, but the project oriented methods he talked about are really beneficial,” said McGovern, “there’s definitely been an increase in recent years.”
David Pogue can be seen and read every week on Yahoo Tech and he continues to give similar speeches and presentations across the country.
