Great Opportunities with STEM

WHAT is STEM? The United States has developed as a global leader, in large part, through the genius and hard work of its scientists, engineers, and innovators. In a world that’s becoming increasingly complex, where success is driven not only by what you know, but by what you can do with what you know, it’s more important than ever for our youth to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information. These are the types of skills that students learn by studying science, technology, engineering, and math— subjects collectively known as STEM. The program is designed to prepare our students for the challenges for tomorrows workforce and increased competition in the workforce. Our children will be faced with a more competitive and dynamic workforce starting now and forever more. More fierce than they have ever faced.

What is STEM continued STEM lays out the building blocks for not only students, but also businesses and government who need these capablities to be competitive in the new Global Economy. These disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) effect things from national security, global competitiveness and immigration.

What STEM is not!!!! It is not a magic pill that cures all. These disciplines are not for everyone. Not everyone is wired to excel in these disciplines. You have to determine what you are passionate about and why.

How important is STEM? Did you know that there are currently 40 different pieces of legislation that has been introduced in the United States Congress: Here are just a few: Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program Act of 2017 STEM to STEAM Act of 2017 Building Blocks of STEM Act Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2017 STEM Opportunities Act of 2017 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act

Challenges with STEM Programs According to the US Department of Education: “Not enough of our youth have access to quality STEM learning opportunities and too few students see these disciplines as springboards for their careers. For example, we know that only 81 percent of Asian-American high school students and 71 percent of white high school students attend high schools where the full range of math and science courses are offered (Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II, calculus, biology, chemistry, and physics). The access to these courses for American Indian, Native-Alaskan, black, and Hispanic high school students are significantly worse. Children’s race, zip code, or socioeconomic status should never determine their STEM fluency. We must give all children the opportunity to be college-ready and to thrive in a modern STEM economy.

Females in STEM? Females in STEM fields. Many scholars and policymakers have noted that the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM fields) have been predominantly male occupations, with historically low participation among females, from their origin in the Age of Enlightenment to the present time.

Golden Opportunity!!! With Legislation being pushed in Congress which means solid funding, and the current disappointing numbers representation in the fields of STEM, the opportunity for women (females) is golden. I will say Golden for those who have the desire and determination.

Statistics in STEM for Females Although females fill close to half of all jobs in the U.S. economy, they hold less than 25 percent of STEM jobs. This has been the case throughout the past decade, even as college educated women have increased their share of the overall workforce. Females with STEM jobs earned 33 percent more than comparable females in non-STEM jobs – considerably higher than the STEM premium for men. As a result, the gender wage gap is smaller in STEM jobs than in non-STEM jobs. Females hold a disproportionately low share of STEM undergraduate degrees, particularly in engineering. Females with a STEM degree are less likely than their male counterparts to work in a STEM occupation; they are more likely to work in education or healthcare.

Listing of a STEM Jobs