来自世界不同地方的六位学生在美国相遇。他们都是交换学生，到美国大学就读一个学期，学习英语，了解美国文化，同时修专业课程。英语“日常会话” (Everyday Conversations)系列围绕这六位学生在美国的经历展开。这套材料适于中级或中级以上英语水平的学生使用。
在这个对话中，三个学生（Lee, Peter, and Jana）谈到科技工数教育。
Peter: I still want to teach younger students, but I’ve decided that I also want to teach STEM-related subjects.
Lee: STEM, as in science, technology, engineering and math?
Peter: Exactly. Scientific and technological innovations are really important these days. And students need to be exposed to STEM subject matter as early as possible. And in a fun way!
Jana: As an engineering major, I couldn’t agree more. It’s important to teach students what they can do with their knowledge. I get to think up complex ideas, but I also get to design them and sometimes build them.
Lee: I totally agree. I can’t wait for others to solve global environmental issues. In my environmental science classes, we learn how to gather and evaluate evidence, be innovative and develop solutions to global issues.
Peter: Those are the skills I want to teach my students one day! I think STEM education is linked to a country’s future prosperity.
让我们来学习一些词语（也可阅读英文解释）：
STEM是英文中科学、技术、工程、数学（science, technology, engineering and math）四门学科的缩写。
An innovation：一项创新，可以指有创意的设想、方法或手段。
Scientific innovations：科学——包括生物、化学、物理等——创新。 Technological innovations ：技术创新。
在以上对话中， subject matter的意思是学校中的学科。
词组”couldn’t agree more” 用来表示完完全全同意某人的话。
To think up something：设想某一情形
Complex：复杂的
To gather evidence ：收集证据/证明。在收集证据后，需要 evaluate，即评估。
Innovative：（形容词）有创意的，有新意的
Prosperity：繁荣，致富
有兴趣听更多英语对话吗？请浏览“英语学习”专题网页。
American English 网站提供可供英语学生和教师免费使用的多种英语资源。American English Facebook网页提供每天更新的英语学习资料。
“日常会话”由美国国务院教育与文化事务局英语语言项目处（Office of English Language Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs）资深项目官员海蒂·豪兰（Heidi Howland）编写。
