Imagine STEM as an eternal pool of whirling facts and knowledge, a blank abyss with no meaning. There for us to see, but not to understand and apply. This is what STEM would be like without problem-solving. In a way, problem-solving is the very essence of life, and also the very essence of ourselves. We would hardly be capable of waking up and having breakfast without problem-solving, let alone build success in our education and careers. The field that develops problem-solving skills most effectively and comprehensively is the field of STEM. From math contests to blueprints to chemical labs, problem-solving in STEM can represent something so much more than us when it’s honed.
Down to the core, problem-solving is about understanding our environment, identifying things we want to change, then thinking critically and creatively towards what to do to achieve that desirable change. During infancy, problem-solving is a natural process defined by learning to communicate and coordinate movements. In childhood, our minds are significantly flexible and craving to make sense of the world. Providing hands-on, varied experimental learning in early education is vital for children to form solid concepts of problem-solving, especially in STEM. As we mature, our problem-solving skills rely more and more on practice and refinement to improve, requiring us to take the initiative with a strong mind and heart. On a bigger picture, problem-solving is the source of evolution and innovation, the basis of society and all the forces that drive it. Stronger problem-solving skills lead to a brighter future, so it’s vital that in STEM, the epitome of problem-solving, we work collectively towards honing our problem-solving skills, one step at a time.
Personally, I definitely hone my problem-solving skills most prominently in mathematics. As a young child, I was guided by my mom in my early STEM education. I would sit at the table every morning on weekends and school breaks, spending an hour or two working through math workbooks with help from her. I felt a burst of euphoria whenever I was able to quickly solve a difficult problem correctly without any help, whenever I saw a giant, dazzling “100%” on my worksheets. My success served as a motivation for me to keep tackling more problems, to keep challenging myself. Those weekends at the table doing math is still completely relevant in my life today as a high school student. However, I’m also very involved in music, and I always make sure to take a walk for at least 30 minutes every day. My mind has been constantly thinking in different ways for my whole life, and the benefits from this has encompassed everything, from my time management ability to social skills to organization. While STEM, specifically math, has been my predominant stepping stone to improve my problem-solving skills, my involvement in multiple fields has made me a well-rounded person with the ability to problem-solve effectively in a variety of situations. Therefore, it’s important to keep in mind that problem-solving is not about being logical, robotic geniuses but being engaging and productive people of the world.
Different subjects in STEM differ greatly, and therefore the problems that are encountered within different subjects differ greatly. While the content itself is varying, what goes on in our minds while we solve problems is generally correspondent across all STEM fields. A brilliantly working mind starts with a healthy mindset. We should never forget that there are problems to solve everywhere, that we have the capacity to solve all problems, and that problem-solving is joyful. What’s most important in problem-solving is the process, not the result. Getting stuck is problem-solving’s best friend - it shows that you’re challenging ourselves beyond your abilities, which is precisely what we all should be striving for. Even if only half the problem is solved, that’s still an achievement if you have added a new concept to your personal pouch of problem-solving strategies. Solving problems with friends/family as a team can be something that helps set a better mindset of problem-solving. STEM problems involve a lot of logical thinking unlike everyday problems, so it’s crucial as a developing problem-solver to find motivation and joy while problem-solving.
Conventional steps to solving problems are: define the problem, brainstorm solutions, implement a solution, then review results.
The first step is often underestimated and considered to be obvious, but you should always clarify what exactly you are problem-solving for, especially in problems where a load of information is given. This will prevent avoidable mistakes and increase efficiency.
The next step, brainstorming solutions, is the most flexible and personalized step. From my experience, when it’s unclear how to even start brainstorming a solution, an excellent strategy is to manipulate the problem into a form you can understand. It’s also beneficial if you solve a problem using multiple different solutions. Ultimately, the key to mastering this step is just to do more and more and more problems. You can literally learn about how to think of the best solutions, but your own experience is always the most reliable source.
The third step, implementing a solution, is the step where that experience is formed and the speed and accuracy at which we can problem-solve is improved. Sometimes, you know how to start solving a problem but you don’t know how to continue solving it, which is when you either backtrack and look for another way or seek help. If you need to look at a provided solution or use a hint in order to solve a problem, come back to it after a week or two and see if you can solve it all by yourself.
Finally, reviewing your solution is similar to the first step in that it’s often undermined. Reviewing is also a process of improvement when you look back at your solution for things that you could’ve done better, and let what you have learned while problem-solving stick in your mind that much more.
In the end, problem-solving in STEM comes down to one thing: embracement. Embracement of motivation, embracement of improvement, embracement of the world, and most importantly, embracement of ourselves as a united community of people working towards a better world every single day.
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Resources
Stottler, W. What is problem solving and why is it important [Web log post]. Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://www.kepner-tregoe.com/blog/what-is-problem-solving-and-why-is-it-important/#:~
Fitzgerald, M. (2020, November 24). How to Nurture Your Child's Most Important Skill Set [Web log post]. Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://tinkergarten.com/blog/how-to-support-your-little-problem-solver-with-stem
The 5 Steps of Problem Solving. (2020, November 18). Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://www.humorthatworks.com/learning/5-steps-of-problem-solving/