What is STEM?

STEM education is an approach to teaching and learning that integrates the content and skills of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through inquiry, logical reasoning, collaboration, and investigation.

Why STEM?

• In the next five years, STEM jobs are projected to grow twice as quickly as jobs in other fields. (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009)

• 80% of jobs in the next decade will require technical skills. (Why the Focus on STEM? The Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council, 2011)

• The U.S. will have over 1 million job openings in STEM-related fields by 2018 (U.S. Bureau of Statistics, 2009); yet only 16% of U.S. bachelor’s degrees will specialize in STEM. (U.S. Bureau of Statistics, 2010)

• To put these numbers into perspective, only 6% of the 3.8 million 9th graders in the U.S. end up choosing a STEM degree in college (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009).

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