Technology Century V.17 N.4 - ESD

THE STORIES THAT MADE HEADLINES IN 2012
STEM Education = Jobs Fall 2012-Winter 2013 (Vol. 17 No. 3)
Editor’s Note: After reviewing all of our issues in 2012,
we came to the sobering realization that all the articles we
published highlighting research, innovation, and accomplishments
could not have been possible without a strong
education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
(STEM). And, with the continuing shortage of engineers
in Michigan, it has never been more important to pay
attention to these key areas in order to produce a prepared
workforce of tomorrow.
STEM education, the study of science, technology,
engineering, and math, has truly risen to the forefront of
national and educational consciousness in America. Sixteen
of the twenty fastest growing occupations over the next
decade will require some form of STEM education, and the
United States, including Michigan, needs to take action to
improve success ratios for the future.
According to Carl Sagan, “It’s suicidal to create a
society that depends on science and technology in which
no one knows anything about science and technology—
and that’s the road we are headed down…You need
to generate the scientists and engineers, starting in
school….”
These calls are being heeded and efforts are underway
at all levels to coordinate and improve STEM education in
Michigan and nationally.
Yet, the most critical part of any STEM education is
getting stakeholders to collaborate on a comprehensive
STEM initiative that addresses the root cause of the
problem. Cognizant of this fact, The Engineering
Society of Detroit Institute (ESDI) will convene a
two-day STEM symposium on March 1 and 2, 2013 with
key stakeholders representing business, government
and education to tackle the question: “If you were
envisioning the best statewide STEM program for
Michigan, what would it look like and how would you
implement it.”
What are some of the societal incentives to improve
STEM education in the U.S
••
Over the past 10 years, STEM jobs grew three times
faster than non-STEM jobs.
••
The top ten bachelor-degree majors with the highest
median earnings are all in STEM fields.
••
In 2010, the unemployment rate for STEM workers
was 5.3 percent; for all other occupations, it was 10
percent.
10 | Technology Century | 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW