Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Article

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education - Article Example The first section of the article has been set apart to make an in-depth study of the STEM education situation in the US utilizing all the data available from previous studies. The second section comprises of a detailed review of the existing federal programs in this context, with a focus on a few selected programs. The third and final section has dealt with the legislative options being considered by federal authority to implement remedial measures. The article introduces the topic by saying that many studies had found the country lacking in sufficient numbers of students, qualified teachers and skilled practitioners in STEM sectors. In the article, the gravity of this situation is described using relevant figures and the measures were taken by the government to rectify this problem are also analyzed. It is pointed out that in a recent international assessment, carried out among 15-year old students, â€Å"the US ranked 28th in math literacy, and 24th in science literacy (Kuenzi, 20 08, p.1).† The article also has suggested that this has to be understood in the backdrop of â€Å"many US math and science teachers lack(ing) an undergraduate major or minor in those fields† (Kuenzi, 2008, p.1). It is specifically noted in this article that â€Å"the US ranks 20th among all nations in the proportion of 24-year olds who earn degrees in natural science or engineering (Kuenzi, 2008, p.2).† The legislation introduced in the 110th Congress based on previous study reports have been thoroughly scrutinized by Kuenzi’s article. The purpose of the report is stated as â€Å"to put these legislative proposals into a useful context† (Kuenzi, 2008, p.3)

Love. Operations Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Love. Operations Management - Essay Example It also ensures that business operations in an organization are efficient, that is, using few resources effectively for production and having a maximum output. A process design (layout) is the arrangement of facilities in an organization that has the same functions and brings together similar activities. The importance of the layout is that it minimizes the functions that are related to travels, which means the total material cost in travel time and distance is reduced. For example, layout problems involve the location of facilities in a plant. Other important factor includes flexibility, motivation and system protection. In an organization like IKEA layout contributes to the total efficiency of operations and will greatly reduce the total operation cost by over 50%. Hayes and Wheelwright came up with a capability and maturity model that explains how an operation could move from being a barrier to strategic success (Hill and Jones, 2011). Stage one is about being an innovator and creator of opportunities and the last stage suggests that operation capabilities should improve so as to make the strategic impact on the operation function. This model is important to organizations since it provides a way of moving from being a barrier to achieving success. Material requirement planning (MRP) is a technique that assists an organization in a detailed planning of its production. The importance of MRP is that it ensures all products and materials are in line and helps in planning a manufacturing scheme. If a company is planning to excel in its objectives, it should look for the best performance strategies at place; ranging from 4vs which are volume, variation, visibility and variety, performance objective and market requirement planning. The secret to a customer’s satisfaction at IKEA lies in the 4v’s strategy. If a company wants to perform in the sales market, it must consider all aspects of the 4v, volume