What is STEM?
In its broadest sense, STEM is an initiative for securing America’s leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and identifying promising strategies for strengthening the educational pipeline that leads to STEM careers.
STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
What is STEM?
In its broadest sense, STEM is an initiative for securing America’s Leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and identifying promising strategies for strengthening the educational pipeline that leads to STEM careers.
Why is STEM education important?
In the report “Tapping America’s Potential: The Education for Innovation Initiative,” the following statement is presented showing the importance of STEM:
“For most of the 20th century, the American education system provided a substantial part of the talent and proficiency needed to sustain and improve our way of life. … Today, however, as the U.S. economy becomes even more reliant on workers with greater knowledge and technological expertise, the domestic supply of qualified workers is not keeping up with the skill demands.”
This need is demonstrated in the report by the following statistics:
- By 2010, if current trends continue, more than 90 percent of all scientists and engineers in the world will be living in Asia.
- More than 50 percent of all engineering doctoral degrees awarded by U.S. engineering colleges are to foreign nationals.
- Although U.S. fourth graders score well against international competition, they fall near the bottom or dead last by 12th grade in mathematics and science, respectively.
To maintain our country's competitiveness in the 21st century, we must cultivate the skilled scientists and engineers needed to create tomorrow's innovations.
The business and labor community has been vocal about expressing their deep concern about the United States’ ability to sustain its scientific and technological competitiveness in the 21st century economy.
The following reports are among the many STEM-related reports recently produced by organizations, coalitions, commissions and businesses:
- “The National Innovation Initiative Final Report. Innovate America: Thriving in a World of Challenge and Change.” The Council on Competitiveness. http://www.compete.org/
- The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman.
STEM and the Alliance for Education
The STEM initiative of the Alliance for Education has the following goal:
Goal: To develop a comprehensive program from middle school to postsecondary in fields related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) within San Bernardino County schools that will increase student participation in postsecondary education and/or training.
Three system components have been developed to integrate college and career preparation: Education P-16, Family Involvement, and Economic & Workforce Development. To implement the three components, the Alliance works in collaboration with the San Bernardino County’s P-16 Council and Smaller Learning Communities to assist students in elementary through post-secondary transitions by bringing relevance to academics, expand the capacity of community and faith-based organizations who offer intervention programs by providing mentoring in mathematic and language literacy, and prepare students for entrance into highly skilled, high-wage occupations.
These three interdependent components are the foundation upon which the Alliance for Education builds its system to strengthen RIGOR, RELEVANCE, and RELATIONSHIPS in public education.
PLTW ( Project Lead the Way)
STEM Resources and Websites
www.getsmarter.org
www.bestworkforce.org
info@futureschannel.com
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