Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are the “hot” topic in education today, from K-12 to college and university level, schools are developing plans and strategies to prepare a ready-workforce for the advancement of our communities, nation and world. It is so critical to our societal evolution, our state and federal government, business and industry, even sports and nonprofits are getting involved.

In 2006, President George W. Bush announced the American Competitiveness Initiative, a proposed initiative to address shortfalls in federal government support of educational development and progress at all academic levels in the STEM fields. The initiative called for significant increases in federal funding for advanced R&D programs (including a doubling of federal funding support for advanced research in the physical sciences through the U.S. Department of Energy) and an increase in U.S. higher education graduates within STEM disciplines.

In 2006, the United States National Academies also expressed their concern about the declining state of STEM education in the United States. Its Science, Engineering and Public Policy Committee developed a list of 10 actions federal policy makers could take to advance STEM education in the United States to compete successfully in the 21st century. Their top three recommendations were to:

• increase America’s talent pool by improving K-12 science and mathematics education;
• strengthen the skills of teachers through additional training in science, math and technology; and
• enlarge the pipeline of students prepared to enter college and graduate with STEM degrees.

All of these initiatives have generated a critical mass of educational development, sponsored outreach activities, scholarships, science events and competitions – all meant to increase STEM academic interest and achievement, and to encourage students to study STEM subjects.

The STEM Coalition works to support programs for teachers and students at the U. S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies that offer STEM related programs. The STEM Education Coalition represents all sectors of the technological workforce – from knowledge workers, to educators, to scientists, engineers, and technicians. The participating organizations of the STEM Education Coalition are dedicated to ensuring quality STEM education at all levels.

Arizona schools have been on the forefront of assembling successful partnerships between government, industry, and schools and universities in order to develop a strong workforce that will drive economic development. Maricopa Community Colleges and Estrella Mountain are among those educational partners, preparing our students not only in the areas leading to STEM careers, but for students entering the teacher education field.