Look Ahead to 2021 Topics For STEM News Chronicle

1) Drone technology and Robotic applications – Drones have morphed from amusement toys to drone flying robots that can deliver prescriptions, food, and packages and controlled or fly autonomously through software-controlled flight plans in their embedded systems, working in conjunction with onboard sensors and GPS. We will encourage articles with multidisciplinary discussions illustrating the impact participation by women and minorities in this industry because more diversity leads change to improved reliability and productivity. Watch for our Call for Articles.

2) Math Gender Differences – Are giving girls and women safe and nurturing environments and role models to boost their abilities and interest in STEM careers sufficient to make headway against the gender gap or are there biological and developmental differences that need to be better understood? At both elementary and secondary levels, boys and girls score similarly on many standardized tests, but girls in some instances appear to get relatively better grades in math classes. Watch for our Call for Articles.

3) Climate Change Research – Reader interest to our issue in 2020 and experiences across the globe with typhoons, hurricanes, and a melting polar cap suggested we give more attention to this subject in 2021. We are interested in what climate science is providing to help save the planet. Watch for our Call for Articles.

4) Racial Gaps in Medical Research and Diagnostics – Disparities in health inequity have become clearer in the era of COVID-19. This is not new, and has been heightened by the coronavirus outbreak. Heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers have always been more of a burden on poor and non-white communities. So what can science do to address the problem? Watch for our Call for Articles.