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The first artificial satellite launched by Soviets was launched. This started the "space race" and competitive pressure with the U.S. "Although there were various other factors involved, the fact perceived by many was that the Soviet Union had reached new and astonishing technological heights with Sputnik 1, giving it an advantage in terms of exploration as well as military and defense" (Deffree, 2019). -
The National Aeronautics and Space Act created NASA. -
In response to the Sputnik's launch, the National Defense Education Act was passed. "The law provided federal funding to 'insure trained manpower of sufficient quality and quantity to meet the national defense needs of the United States.' In addition to fellowships and loans to students, the legislation bolstered education in the areas of science, mathematics, and modern foreign languages" (History, Art, & Archives, 2021). -
Starting with Sputnik's launch, and ending with Apollo 11 landing on the moon.
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"The goal of the Act was to 'create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony' and to 'assure for all Americans safe, healthful, productive, esthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings" (DOCS Teach, 2021) -
The U.S. Metric Board was created to push the adoption of the metric system unit of measure. It is resisted.
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Reagan cuts budget for the National Science Foundation by 70%, eliminating support for K-12 science initiatives, including teacher institutes and curriculum (Hechinger Report, 2011). -
Reagan restores some NSF funding for K-12 science programs and creates the "Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching" (The Hechinger Report, 2011) -
U.S. Secretary of Education releases "A Nation at Risk" report. The report stressed an urgent need of improvement and reform. "That need for improvement was based on numerous statistics listed in the report that the commission said showed the inadequate quality of American education" (Park, 2004). -
"The Science Education for Public Understanding Program (SEPUP), based at the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California-Berkeley, starts developing hands-on, inquiry-based curricula that explore societal issues like food safety and water pollution to make science more engaging" (The Hechinger Report, 2011).
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The National Research Council creates the National Science Education Standards. It represented a vision of scientific literacy for all students.
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"The No Child Left Behind Act takes the focus off science education as teachers scramble to boost scores on math and reading tests" (The Hechinger Report, 2011)
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The tragic event added national security to the list of needs for STEM reform. -
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) assign the decade as of education for sustainable development (Bybee, 2013).
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"The National Academies’ report “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” argues that strengthening science and math education is essential if the U.S. is to remain prosperous in the 21st century" (The Hechinger Report, 2011).
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The Framework document was released, stating visions of scientific literacy for all students by 12th grade, introducing a new 3 dimensional learning framework.
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"Charting a Course for Success: America's Strategy for STEM Education, published in December 2018, sets out a federal strategy for the next five years based on a vision for a future where all Americans will have lifelong access to high-quality STEM education and the United States will be the global leader in STEM literacy, innovation, and employment" (U.S. Department of Education, 2021). -
"The Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House issued the Progress Report on the Implementation of the Federal STEM Education Strategic Plan. This progress report describes ongoing efforts and implementation practices across the Federal Government as it works to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan" (U.S. Department of Education, 2021).
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