Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
In recent years, economists and public policy experts have focused a great deal of attention on the need to strengthen the nation’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) skills. Their message has been that our country’s future in a global economy is dependent on its ability to be innovative. Innovation requires knowledge acquired through education or, more specifically, STEM skills.
In the 21st Century, economic power will be derived from skills and innovation. Nations that don’t invest in skills will weaken; it is that straightforward. Louis Gerstner Jr., former chairman and CEO, IBM, Meeting the Challenge of a Changing World, Strengthening Education for the 21st Century, U. S. Department of Education, January 2006 |
The metropolitan Chicago region's future economy is highly dependent on its ability to develop a STEM workforce that meets the needs of its employers. This will include jobs that can be foreseen - as well as those that will emerge as a result of future innovation. The choice is simple, either the region's citizens acquire the skills needed for these jobs or employers will find skilled workers elsewhere.
Thanks to globalization, driven by modern communications and other advances, workers in virtually every sector must now face competitors who live just a mouse-click away in Ireland, Finland, China, India, or dozens of other nations whose economies are growing. Rising Above the Gathering Storm, Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future,Executive Summary, National Academy of Sciences, 2007. |
This website has been developed for the purpose of increasing awareness of the need to improve the STEM skills of the region's educators, students, and workers and providing information on available STEM programs and events. Information housed on this web site is organized as follows.
STEM Inventory - The STEM Inventory identifies special programs offered in the metropolitan Chicago region that are designed to improve the STEM skill of its citizens. Any organization administering a STEM program are invited to complete a STEM Program Profile form and submit it for inclusion on the STEM inventory.
Program profiles provide detailed descriptive information regarding each program. Program profiles can be accessed by the program focus.
Program Focus:
STEM Library - A variety of publications addressing STEM related issues are available in this section.
STEM Events - Organizations may use this web site to announce events related to the development of the region's STEM workforce. Announcements to be posted to this section should be submitted to jetz66@aol.com using the STEM Event Form.