Breaking Down Complex Problems: Critical Thinking in STEM

The multidisciplinary concept of STEM was created in 2001 to address the mounting technological innovations the world was (and continues) seeing. A fundamental aspect of STEM education is hands-on learning, as it challenges you to engage actively, applying theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems — a process that sharpens problem-solving abilities. 

But unlike many college majors that focus on one topic, STEM encompasses science, technology, engineering and math — all areas of study that challenge you to problem solve and develop the essential ability to leverage critical thinking. 

Why do these skills matter so much to those who aspire to major one day in STEM? Because this skill set will be vital, as the world continues to diversify, and innovations continue mounting. In fact, occupations in this vital field are growing at an impressive 20% rate above all other career categories. 

So what specific skills do you need to succeed in a STEM-related field? Here are six. 

Six STEM skills you’ll need to succeed in our tech-forward future

According to one leading source, skills important in a STEM field include:

1. Problem solving
2. Critical thinking
3. Creativity
4. Curiosity
5. Logical mathematical skills
6. Engineering-design skills

Of these six, the process of critical thinking is among the most important. Critical thinking is the act of deliberately analyzing information so that you can make better judgements and decisions. Thus, for the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on the importance of having the ability to think critically. 

What is critical thinking?

Here’s how the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines it:

“Critical thinking is the process of thinking about ideas or situations in order to understand them fully, identify their implications, make a judgment, and guide decision making. Critical thinking includes skills such as questioning, predicting, analyzing, synthesizing, examining opinions, identifying values and issues, detecting bias, and distinguishing between alternatives. Students who are taught these skills can move beyond superficial conclusions to a deeper understanding of the issues they examine.” 

Why critical thinking matters in STEM

Important scientific breakthroughs all involve critical thinking — not just to solve the scientific, mathematical, tech, or engineering questions, but the ethical ones as well. If you watched the Oscar-winning movie, Oppenheimer, you had a lesson in how the atom bomb came to be. But then the question of whether or not to use it came into play. We all know the outcome, which is still being debated today. 

The same discussions are happening around the use of social media and digital devices in the hands of children, as well as the positive and negative uses of AI. There are the practical and ethical arguments for and against. It can be summed up by the adage, “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” 

Sounds like a job for critical thinkers who can break down critical problems.

STEM and critical thinking

STEM students learn through critical thinking. They learn that, even if a concept or design is presented by a renowned innovator, it still has to be viewed on its merits and not be influenced by the person promoting it. Hence the value of clinical trials; one way in which scientific theories are proven, improved or rejected. Critical thinking skills can reduce the probability of personal biases. 

But, there is a challenge of meeting this gap in America. 

The critical thinking gap

A global critical thinking survey of 1,000 educators found that 85% say their students do not have the critical thinking skills required to qualify for jobs in the future. Over 90 percent of teachers believe that critical thinking skills are essential, but only 17 percent reported that they had received any training on teaching these skills. 

Law schools have an approach to teaching critical thinking that underscores its importance. Law students are given a case to present as the defense attorney. They must analyze the evidence, interview witnesses, come up with a thesis, and argue the case in defense of the accused. Then the professor turns the tables on them. They are compelled to walk away from making the case in favor of the accused and take on the role of the prosecutor. This kind or intellectual rigor makes the point: at the heart of critical thinking is logic, not emotion.

But things are looking up: if you are a young student with a passion for STEM, or a high school student interested in college prep classes online, here are some exciting STEM options to check out: 

Programs designed for young STEM aspirants

PacSci (Pacific Science Center) was launched at the 1962 World’s Fair. Today, this not-for-profit serves more than one million across Washington State and the Pacific Northwest.  A big proponent of STEM, PacSci Center’s 2023-2024 Science on Wheels curriculum includes three programs: space science, human & animal biology and engineering. Designed for grades K-8, PacSci programs are essential; in 2023 alone, their programs served over 60,000 students; 60 percent of whom were from low-income schools.

For high school students seeking college prep programs in STEM, we recommend that you take a look at the William & Mary psychology pre-college course. This dynamic online program addresses critical thinking around how the human brain functions and operates. Cognitive Psychology: How The Brain Works is a STEM course that challenges you to view the brain as “mental hardware.” You’ll study how the brain processes daily inputs, such as language behavior, memory, problem solving, and decision making — all tasks that foster critical thinking.

Another great option is the University of Rochester’s pre-college biomedical engineering course. Part of Rochester’s STEM-related online programs, Biomedical Engineering: Solving the Body’s Challenges with Technology invites you to learn about how things work: like artificial limbs, implantable devices, diagnostic screening equipment, and technical advances that solve health problems. You’ll study the engineering approach to the body, discover why correct measurements are a critical part of the discipline, be able to state how skeletal muscles work, investigate skeletal modeling, and discover how the heart muscle operates. 

These programs all involve the key STEM skills of: problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, and logical mathematical skills. And, contrary to the concept that STEM students are just tech nerds, even if you don’t plan to become an engineer or a scientist, STEM skills are crucial in a whole host of future jobs and include both personal and professional acuity. You can be more adaptable and effective in nearly all modern jobs if you have STEM skills.

Check out some of today’s leading STEM internships for high school students.