How STEM Education Prepares Youth

The integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, known by the acronym STEM, takes an interdisciplinary approach to learning. With a focus on real-world applications, STEM presents the four subjects to learners as an interconnected curriculum to prepare young minds for success in our technological age.

This blended approach to learning teaches students the scientific method, computational thinking, and problem-solving. STEM education may be introduced at the elementary level to provide students with exposure to STEM occupations and a foundation to understand standards-based inquiries into real-world problems.

At the middle school level, STEM courses should become more academically rigorous. It is good practice to incorporate the exploration of STEM careers into the middle school curriculum to pique interest in mastering foundational skills. By the time a student reaches high school, STEM courses should be focused on preparing students for post-secondary education and jobs in STEM fields, emphasizing connecting in-school and extra-curricular STEM learning opportunities.

While the United States has continuously contributed to advancements in STEM fields, fewer students have acquired these skills in recent years. For instance, only 16 percent of high school students have demonstrated proficiency in mathematics and interest in a STEM career, according to the United States Department of Education data. Also, of the 28 percent of first-year high school students who declare an interest in a STEM field, more than half lose interest in pursuing a STEM field by graduating from high school.

At the same time, multiple fields have a significant shortage of skilled laborers to fill positions. Workforce projections have estimated a need for millions of additional workers in STEM fields. Cloud computing represents a large portion of the increase in STEM jobs, with millions of jobs created in a few short years. In addition to computing, other fields that have a high demand for workers include traditional engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, and mathematics, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Another concern in the STEM field is diversity. Women are three times less likely than men to pursue a STEM career, according to a STEMconnect report. Also, while Asian-Americans and Indian-Americans have high levels of interest in STEM careers, African-Americans { latinX and indigenous also} are the least represented group in STEM fields. While there is interest in STEM in the African-American population, often times access to learning opportunities that would and could foster STEM engagement, are limited or lacking all together. This is why it’s important to gear STEM curriculum to attract and retain underrepresented populations, especially in ever diversifying communities. All groups deserve representation.

Contrary to popular belief, not all STEM jobs require a college degree. In fact, less than half of entry-level STEM jobs require the applicant to have a bachelor's degree. Nevertheless, a four-year degree can help increase a worker’s earnings and may influence longevity in the workforce. According to industry research, STEM jobs with a bachelor's degree requirement pay about 26 percent more than jobs with the same education requirement in non-STEM fields. Exposure to opportunities could and would remedy the gaps for those that are underserved.

BEYA STEM and Women of Color STEM conferences are a few of the initiatives working to engage youth in STEM learning and attract them to jobs in STEM fields. Serving a community of more than 20,000 members, BEYA STEM holds an annual STEM career conference that welcomes K-12 and college students and representatives from business, industry, and government sectors. The three-day conference includes education, networking, and a showcase of STEM career opportunities. The next BEYA STEM conference will be held February 17-19, 2022, at the Washington Marriott in Wardman Park. Find more info at https://intouch.ccgmag.com/mpage/beya-home.