Have you ever wondered how many times we experience STEM in our daily lives?

Science is the natural world around us: sun, moon, stars, land, sea, oceans, weather, rain, storms, hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, animals, plants, food, fuel, wood, water, wind; the list can go on.  Our world today is becoming more technology-based by the minute; from the first wheel, compass, telegraph, to telescopes, microscopes, to the radio, television, computers, and smartphones; the list again can go on.  Engineering is the skyscrapers, buildings and houses we live in and the roads and bridges we drive on and so many other things we see around us.  Engineering also takes on today’s challenges of transportation, global warming and environment-friendly machines, appliances and systems.  We come across mathematics almost every day in our lives, at stores, supermarkets, banks, even when paying taxes or dealing with investments and family budgets.  Every STEM field is based on mathematics.  That is why STEM is important; because it directly relates to every aspect of our lives.

“In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.” (National Science Foundation)

Future careers are STEM careers!  Today, there is an increase demand for skilled workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math and this has become highly linked to global competitiveness.  There is a huge gap between today’s available career in STEM fields and young people who are STEM educated or even have interest in STEM.