(D)
Educators and business leaders have more in common than it may seem. Teachers want to prepare students for a successful future. Technology companies have an interest in developing workers with STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills needed to grow the company and improve the industry. How can they achieve these dreams? Play may be the answer.
Learning STEM skills is important, but the reality is that STEM skills can be improved when mixed with traditional, hands—on creative activities. This mix is proved to be the best way to prepare today’s children to be the makers and builders of tomorrow. That is why technology companies are partnering with educators to bring back good, old—fashioned play.
In fact, many experts say that the most important 21st—century skills are not specific (具体的) technologies or subject matter, but creativity, skills like imagination, problem—finding and problem—solving, teamwork, patience and the ability to experiment and take risks. These are skills needed when kids tinker (鼓捣小玩意). High—tech industries such as NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory have found that their best well—rounded problem solvers were excellent tinkers in their youth.
There are advantages of doing things the way we did as children—building something, tearing it down, then building it up again. Research shows that given 15 minutes of free play, four—and—five—year—olds will spend a third of this time being absorbed (使全神贯注) in different activities. This type of play—especially building toys—helps children discover and develop key rules in maths.
If play and building are important to 21st—century skill development, that’s really good news for two reasons: Children are born builders, makers, and creators, so developing 21st—century skills may be as simple as giving kids room to play, tinker and try things out, even as they grow older. Moreover, it doesn’t take 21st—century technology to develop 21st—century skills. This is especially important for under—resourced schools and communities. Taking whatever materials they have and tinkering with them is a simple way to develop those important “maker” skills. And anyone can do it anywhere.
()10. What do you know about educators and business leaders from Paragraph 1?
A. They will play together. B. They have nothing in common.
C. They share similar dreams. D. They will partner with each other.
()11. What is the best way to prepare children for a successful future?
A. Learning STEM skills. B. Developing specific technologies.
C. Learning different subjects. D. Mixing STEM skills with DIY activities.
()12. Why does the writer mention NASA’s best well—rounded problem solvers in Paragraph 3?
A. To show the advantages of skills. B. To show the findings of NASA.
C. To explain the ways of tinkering. D. To prove the importance of tinkering.
()13. What does the writer advise schools and communities with limited resources to do?
A. Add teaching materials. B. Provide everyday materials.
C. Introduce new technology. D. Provide problem—solving chances.