It’s simple: in the 21st century, STEM education opens doors for every student to succeed.

STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons as students apply Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). It also integrates language arts, computer science, social science, and the arts in a way that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise. 

The research is clear: A strong cradle to career STEM education prepares students for high-demand jobs and contributes to the vitality of their families, communities, and local economies. This includes classroom learning, community and family-based learning, and career connected learning in and out of classrooms.

STEM isn’t just for scientists and engineers. The creativity and critical thinking skills that come with a foundation in STEM education are in high demand, for all kinds of jobs.

Today, the Washington state economy is rooted in STEM. In the last 10 years, growth in STEM jobs has been three times greater than non-STEM jobs. Washington ranks #1 in the nation in the concentration of STEM jobs. 

BUT...There are currently 25,000 unfilled jobs in Washington due to a lack of qualified candidates. Eighty percent of those jobs are in high-demand health care and STEM fields, such as computer science and engineering. Today, while Washington ranks fourth in the country in technology-based corporations, we fall to 46th when it comes to participation in science and engineering graduate programs. Only 48% of Washington’s fourth-graders and 42% of eighth-graders scored proficient or above in math on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

To learn more about Washington STEM and to get involved, click here.