The Future of STEM Education

STEM education leaders came together at the Change the Equation STEM Salon panel today in Washington, DC. The panel featured Grace Chen, director of Math/Science Design at Teach for America; Daniel Chazan, director of the Center for Mathematics Education at the University of Maryland; and Dave Saba, Chief Operating Officer for National Math and Science. The three panelists came together to address the STEM crisis that the US is facing, and the future of STEM teacher development.
 
 “We need to figure out how to make the teaching profession satisfying and attractive,” said Chazan, “[and] we need to strengthen the role that current teachers are playing in STEM education.” Grace Chen concurred. “[One] problem is getting people in the teaching pipeline and getting them to stay in the profession.”
 
The issue of not having effective STEM teachers is pervasive. As of 2012, 69% of high school graduates are not ready for college-level science, and 54% are not ready for college-level math, and 38% of STEM major students do not graduate with one. These numbers are alarming. Educators need to get an effective teacher training program in place to help their students be successful in the workforce.
 
“We need to provide real training and support for upcoming STEM teachers,” said Saba. "We need preparation and we need inspiration. [And] that comes from people with content knowledge.”
 
Find out what is needed to get our nation back on track.
 
We hope to continue the conversation at this year’s U.S. News and World Report STEM Solutions Conference, June 17-19, 2013 in Austin, TX. It’s necessary to come together and focus on the future of STEM education to help prepare our students to lead future successes.