The Current State of STEM Education

Students need an education with a solid foundation in STEM areas so that they are prepared to both work and live in the 21st  Century.  Since the 1960s, the demand for skills has changed significantly – the demand for routine manual task skills have decreased, while the demand for non-routine interactive task skills have increased significantly.

• Workforce projections for 2014 by the U.S. Department of Labor show that 15 of the 20 fastest growing occupations require significant science or mathematics training to successfully compete for a job.
• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, professional information technology (IT) jobs will increase 24% between 2006 and 2016.
• However, as jobs requiring a solid background in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are growing – more students are choosing not to major in these areas.
• In 2001, only 8% of all degrees awarded in the U.S. were in engineering, mathematics or the physical sciences.
• The U.S. ranks 20th internationally based on our share of graduate degrees awarded in engineering, computer science, and mathematics.
• By 2010, if current trends continue, more than 90 percent of all scientists and engineers will be living in Asia.

If students continue to pursue degrees and careers in fields other than STEM related areas, the U.S. will find it difficult to compete in the global economy.  Further, the U.S. will not be able to meet its future workforce needs.  The U.S. needs 400,000 new graduates in STEM fields by 2015.  Microsoft reports that only 14% of students graduating with bachelor’s degrees in Washington state have the skills that they need.  Without a solid foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, students will not be qualified for many jobs in the workplace – including many jobs beyond traditional engineering or science-related jobs.

It's not a scare tactic, but it is scary.

Why STEM Education is importan

I am passionate about engineering.  When it comes down to it, I simply love to solve puzzles.  Engineering allows me to take complex problems and break them down into smaller, more manageable pieces.  Kind of like starting with the edge pieces first on a large jigsaw puzzle.  Piece by piece the picture slowly gets solved.

Part of being an engineer is sharing and contributing to my community. I do this by volunteering in schools, mentoring, actively participating in groups and organizations, and sharing my thoughts and aspirations here on the web.  I know why I love engineering.  My job is to share that enthusiasm with my community, encourage others to participate in the sciences, and make science, technology, engineering and math fun for all.


STEM refers to the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  STEM initiatives started as a way to promote education in these related areas so that students would be prepared to study STEM fields in college and pursue STEM-related careers.  Schools with a strong emphasis on STEM education often integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into the entire curriculum.  On a given school day, students benefiting from an education that integrates STEM into the learning process may collaborate on an interactive white board, use a simulation program to graph and model formulas through spreadsheets to learn
algorithms, manipulate molecules to understand reactions, use handheld devices to collect and analyze data to solve real-world environmental problems, or use sophisticated technology to understand the connections between music and mathematics.

As an engineer, it is part of my duty to keep STEM part of our educational system.  I hope to provide educational resources and information available for everyone to demonstrate the importance of a STEM Curriculum.