As the world explores strategies to equip students with the skills and knowledge that they will need to be successful, there has been a growing emphasis on STEM.

STEM is an acronym for the fields of study in the categories of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Why is STEM important?

In an ever-changing and increasingly complex world, setting students up for future success means exposing them to holistic disciplines to develop critical thinking skills so they can solve problems, make sense of information, and understand how to gather and evaluate evidence.

Not only does a STEM framework teach students how to think critically, problem solve, and innovate, graduates will also play a vital role in developing meaningful solutions to societal problems.

Furthermore, STEM jobs are in high demand! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, “there were nearly 10 million workers in STEM occupations and this total is projected to grow by almost 11% by 2031 – over two times faster than the total for all occupations. They also pay substantially more: Median annual wages as of May 2021 were $95,420 for STEM occupations, compared to $40,120 for non-STEM occupations.”

Even for students who don’t ultimately choose a career in one of the STEM fields, the skills gained from this educational approach can be translated into almost any career. Participating in opportunities like the Maine App Challenge helps students grow these critical skills, setting them up for future success.

Source: https://blog.dol.gov/2022/11/04/stem-day-explore-growing-careers