Evaluating the Global Educational Format Through More STEM Incorporation

For years now, a lot of discussion surrounding the STEM field has mostly focused on the lack of students pursuing the academic fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Although the shortage remains true, there’s also been a lot of work done to improve the numbers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In an episode of DisruptED, hosts Ron J Stefanski and Dr. Caesar Mickenstalked to two Croatian nationals dedicated to changing the current landscape of what education looks like, the gaps that exist, and how they are emphasizing STEM. Guests Marin Troselj, the CEO of STEMI, and Slobodan Velikic, a Chief Business Officer and Partner with STEMI, talked about their platform’s mission and their thoughts and solutions to what needs reorganizing.

Mickens stated that STEM numbers are concerning and there needs to be some kind of reinvigoration of the field to get the youth more readily interested and involved. While the U.S. once was No. 1 in STEM graduates, they are seeing lower numbers, and they are not alone. Globally, there’s been a drop in STEM graduates and professionals, said Mickens. But getting students to seek out STEM isn’t the only issue; it starts with going up against an increasingly outdated structure and teaching methods.

“In my opinion education around the world is going in the wrong direction,” said Troselj. “We are teaching kids to be experts in tests and not how to build meaningful stuff. We teach kids that the right answer is always in textbooks and don’t prepare them for the real world.”

Troselj stated that much of education was built to support the educational needs to produce a workforce for factories. Despite it evolving since, it still maintained its industrial roots.

With STEMI, Troselj and Slobodan Velikic are reshaping that landscape by making the testing and textbooks schools take a backseat. But more so, by turning education into something students can use outside of schools to solve real-life issues in their communities.

More Stories Like This:

How Technology and Education are Vital Cycle Breakers of Social Inequality

How Can Schools Help Ensure the Current Economic Recovery is Sustained and Inclusive

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

college
Gamifying College Readiness: How Loper Makes the Enrollment Journey More Engaging!
October 16, 2025

High schoolers are overwhelmed — and not just by homework. The path to college can feel like a maze of forms, essays, and deadlines, with little guidance on where to begin. A recent survey found that nearly three-quarters of students describe the college application process as “difficult.” For many, that difficulty isn’t academic; it’s…

Read More
Image
How Polygon’s Smart Moisture Control System Protected a Mass Timber Student Housing Project
October 16, 2025

Amid the rise of sustainable architecture, mass timber has become a powerful symbol of progress — a material that marries renewable design with modern efficiency. Yet, in the damp climate of Vancouver, BC, sustainability meets its match: moisture. Managing humidity levels in large-scale wood construction isn’t just a matter of comfort; it’s about protecting structural…

Read More
Classroom air quality and student performance
The Hidden Factor Shaping Student Success: Classroom Air Quality
October 15, 2025

By Dan Walsh, VP & GM at AAA Home Services, and Christine Willing, CEO of Think Happy Live Healthy. Why Air Quality Matters in Schools When we think about improving schools, conversations often center on curriculum, technology, or staffing. But there’s a silent, invisible factor that profoundly influences student health, behavior, and learning outcomes: the…

Read More
Chase Harris
Faith, Fatherhood, and Fortitude: Inside Chase Harris’ Mission to Make Accessibility Possible for Every Child
October 15, 2025

Chase Harris is a father, husband, entrepreneur, and all-around force of light. Alongside his wife, Carly, and their son, Cash, he has inspired millions online through messages of resilience, faith, and family. Their story is one of turning adversity into action — and hardship into hope. “We knew early on that Cash had this special…

Read More