Key points:
- 96% of teachers believe AI will become an intrinsic part of education within the next decade.
- 97% of teachers lack the necessary resources to integrate emerging technology like AI and entrepreneurship into their curriculum.
- 59% of teachers named professional development, updated curriculum resources, collaboration with tech industry professionals, or improved technology as a crucial need.
- 53% of teachers are already using AI tools in their classrooms, while 33% are exploring possible uses for AI.
- 88% of teachers stress the importance of educating students on the ethical use of AI.
The State of STEM Education
The second "The State of STEM Education" survey from Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, conducted in partnership with DonorsChoose, polled 1,039 U.S. public middle and high school teachers. The findings reveal educators’ optimism about the value of AI in classrooms and the urgent need to modernize STEM education.
Drilling down on AI in education
The survey found that a majority (53%) of teachers are already using AI tools in their classrooms, with another 33% exploring possible uses for AI. Among AI applications respondents currently use are interactive learning tools (20%), personalized student learning experiences (22%), and data analysis to gain insights into student performance (11%).
Teacher concerns about AI in education
The survey also revealed a range of teacher concerns about AI in education, including plagiarism (20%), insufficient training on AI education tools (15%), the potential to spread misinformation (13%), and reduced human interaction in learning (12%). Notably, only 5% of teachers expressed concerns about AI leading to job displacement, indicating a broader focus on the opportunities AI presents for teaching and learning.
STEM perceptions improving–but staffing shortages persist
The survey results represent a dramatic shift in teachers’ perceptions across the two years since Samsung Solve for Tomorrow’s first "The State of STEM Education" survey. At that crucial post-pandemic inflection point for U.S. education, the survey uncovered a mix of anxiety and concern among STEM educators. In the new survey, reports of faculty shortages have dropped to 37%, and teachers were generally positive about the support their schools provide for STEM education, with nearly three-quarters (73%) saying STEM receives "strong" (18%) to "some" (55%) support.
Urgent need to modernize STEM curriculum
The educators surveyed are highly passionate about the value of STEM education in preparing students for the future, with 93% agreeing that STEM skills are vital for students to flourish as they move into the workforce. Yet only 36% of teachers feel their school’s current STEM curriculum effectively addresses emerging trends such as AI, data science, robotics, automation, and accessible and green technologies.
Entrepreneurship: A missed opportunity
Despite near-unanimous agreement (99%) that entrepreneurship benefits students by fostering creativity, teamwork, and business ethics, only 20% of public middle and high schools currently offer entrepreneurship classes. Teachers overwhelmingly believe such courses would boost student confidence and motivation to pursue innovative careers and social impact initiatives.
Conclusions
The survey highlights the urgent need for modernizing STEM education, including the integration of emerging technologies like AI and entrepreneurship. By providing teachers with the necessary resources and support, we can empower them to prepare students for the future and equip them with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.
FAQs
Q: What percentage of teachers believe AI will become an intrinsic part of education within the next decade?
A: 96%
Q: What percentage of teachers lack the necessary resources to integrate emerging technology like AI and entrepreneurship into their curriculum?
A: 97%
Q: What percentage of teachers are already using AI tools in their classrooms?
A: 53%
Q: What percentage of teachers are exploring possible uses for AI?
A: 33%
Q: What percentage of teachers express concerns about AI leading to job displacement?
A: 5%
