“A Study on the Perceived Benefits of Senior High School STEM Strand Subjects

in the Freshmen Life of Santo Niño School of Roxas, Inc. Alumni Enrolled in
STEM – Related College Courses for the School Year 2022 – 2023”
 
CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND IT’S SETTING
Introduction
One of the major changes in the education history of the Philippines is the
implementation of the K to 12 Program which aims to provide sufficient time for
mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for
tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and
entrepreneurship.
This program introduces the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics strand
to strengthen the system education in the Philippines to be able to compete globally. K
to 12 senior high school curriculum was created to give the best possible tools and
career choices after high school and will lead students to employment,
entrepreneurship, higher education and middle-level skills development.
According to the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), “a common
definition of STEM education  is an interdisciplinary approach to learning where
rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons as students apply
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in contexts that make connections
between school, community, work, and the global enterprise enabling the
development of STEM literacy and with it the ability to compete in the new
economy.”
The STEM approach to education fosters creativity and divergent thinking alongside
fundamental disciplines. It motivates and inspires young people to generate new
technologies and ideas. With a focus on practice and innovation, students get to learn
from inquiry-based assignments. STEM education gives an understanding of concepts
and encourages knowledge application. To keep it short, its aim can be formulated in
two simple actions: explore and experience. Students are free to exercise what they
learn and embrace mistakes in a risk-free environment. Project-based learning
and problem-solving help learners to form a special mindset. Its core is in flexibility
and curiosity, which equips learners to respond to real-world challenges.
STEM education goes beyond school subjects. It gives a skill set that governs the
way we think and behave. Merging science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics, STEM education helps us to solve the challenges the world faces today.
STEM education gives people skills that make them more employable and ready to
meet the current labor demand. It encompasses the whole range of experiences and
skills.
Each STEM component brings a valuable contribution to a well-rounded
education. Science gives learners an in-depth understanding of the world around us. It
helps them to become better at research and critical thinking. Technology prepares
young people to work in an environment full of high-tech innovations. Engineering
allows students to enhance problem-solving skills and apply knowledge in new
projects. Mathematics enables people to analyze information, eliminate errors, and
make conscious decisions when designing solutions. STEM education links these
disciplines into a cohesive system. Thus, it prepares professionals who can transform
society with innovation and sustainable solutions.
Choosing a track in SHS is the first step that a student must take regarding
his/her career path. This phase is crucial since this period serves as a preparatory
ground for students. Career track choice must be planned carefully because of its
long-term consequences to a person’s professional development and future
accomplishments. Individuals undergo several stages of career development. In their
career development process, several factors play a vital role in determining one’s
career path.Choosing STEM strand as preparation for college can contribute to
students’ future careers, especially when students’ want to pursue a degree in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
There are many different majors within the STEM strand, as well as several
duties and obligations to be carried out. Despite the fact that more students are
choosing to pursue STEM degrees, many of these programs struggle to keep students.
While the demands of the first year may be seen as a "rite of passage," many students
who enroll in STEM programs find that they are faced with greater challenges than
they anticipated. Some students struggle with their schedules and stress, leaving them
with little time to practice and learn about topics that really interest them. 
Students in STEM feel under pressure and at risk of burning out. They will do
anything to achieve their academic goals, sometimes even at the expense of their
health. High expectations from parents and teachers, academic worries like
underachievement, failures, and learning difficulties can cause and negatively impact
a student's academic performance and well-being as well as have a significant impact
on other areas of life like physical, emotional, psychological, and mental issues. 
Therefore, the additional 2 years of preparation for college, opened up more
opportunity to the alumni of Santo Nino School of Roxas Inc. as they journey together
for the school year 2022 – 2023. Even though they’re struggling to keep up with the
changes and advances in their surroundings, they are able to cope up easily for they
have prior knowledge in their STEM – related college courses. In this study, the
researchers will cite the benefits and also the faced problems in the freshmen year of
the alumni of Santo Nino School of Roxas Inc. for the school year 2022 – 2023. 
 
Statement of the Problem
In order to address the issue, the researchers cite some questions that are most suitable
ones by finding out how influential and beneficial the STEM strand to the freshmen
life of Santo Nino School of Roxas Inc. alumni enrolled in STEM related college
courses.  
Specifically, this will attempt to answer these questions: 
1.) How did the students’ chosen strand in Santo Nino School of Roxas Inc. become
beneficial in their course in college?
2.) What STEM subject/s was the most beneficial to students’ during the first year or
semester?
3) What struggles do first year college students’ enrolled in STEM related
college courses encountered during the first semester?
4.) Why college students enrolled in STEM related college courses
feel under pressure and burned out? 
5.) What interests the students’ in choosing their STEM related college courses? 
6.) What was the most challenging part did the students’ have to deal with in choosing
STEM related college courses?