This page provides information on current science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education initiatives, programs, curricula, and research. STEM education is an integrative approach to teaching and learning that draws on the foundations of each individual field to form a cohesive course of instruction. By breaking down the traditional walls between the subjects, students are able to garner a deeper understanding of each by applying the knowledge and skills typically learned in one subject to the others. STEM educations helps students gain a solid foundation of critical thinking skills that can be applied in other subjects and after graduation.

To learn more about STEM education, please click on the Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) link below. Use this page to explore how education leaders are instituting STEM at the national, state, and local levels.

Frequently Asked Questions About STEM Education

National Initiatives

State Initiatives

School-Based Programs and Curricula

National Reportsh

NATIONAL STEM INITIATVES

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME)
NACME provides leadership and support for the national effort to increase the representation of successful African American, American Indian and Latino women and men in engineering and technology, math- and science-based careers.

National Governors Association: Innovation America
The Innovation America initiative focuses on strengthening the United States' competitive position in the global economy by improving our ability to innovate. The goal is to give governors the tools they need to encourage entrepreneurship, improve math and science education, better align post-secondary education systems with local economic growth, and develop regional innovation strategies. Read Building a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Agenda and see the RFP for the STEM Center Grant Program.

National Math and Science Initiative
The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) was created to facilitate the national scale-up of programs that have a demonstrated impact on math and science education in the United States. NMSI supports training and incentive programs for both teachers and students in Advanced Placement and Pre-AP math and science courses. It also supports the expansion of UTeach, which encourages math and science majors to enter the teaching profession by offering compact degree plans, early teaching experiences, and financial assistance for undergraduates.

National Science Foundation: Advanced Technological Education Program
With an emphasis on two-year colleges, the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program involves partnerships between academic institutions and employers to promote improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate and secondary school levels. The ATE program supports curriculum development; professional development of college faculty and secondary school teachers; career pathways to two-year colleges from secondary schools and from two-year colleges to four-year institutions; and other activities. A secondary goal is articulation between two-year and four-year programs for K-12 prospective teachers that focus on technological education. The program also invites proposals focusing on applied research relating to technician education.

United States Department of Labor: WIRED Inititative
Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) brings together state, local and federal entities; academic institutions (including K-12, community colleges and universities); investment groups; foundations; and business and industry to address the challenges associated with building a globally competitive and prepared workforce. The WIRED Initiative is designed to support the development of a regional, integrated approach to workforce and economic development and education. The ultimate goal of WIRED is to expand employment and advancement opportunities for American workers and catalyze the creation of high-skill and high-wage jobs. See the first and second generation WIRED regions here.

STATE STEM INITIATVES

California: The Center for STEM Excellence at Sacramento State University
The Center for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Excellence at Sacramento State University is a university-wide initiative aimed at strengthening the quality of STEM education and research, increasing the number of students graduating in STEM disciplines to meet local and national workforce needs, building the university's capacity to advance knowledge in STEM disciplines, and enhancing recruitment of students, staff, and faculty such that these populations better reflect the diversity of California.

Connecticut: CONNVene - Statewide STEM Initiative
CONNvene is a statewide PreK-16 initiative to improve student interest and achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to better meet Connecticut's 21st Century economic development, quality of life, and workforce preparation needs. Read the recommendations in A Talent-Based Strategy to Keep Connecticut Competitive in the 21st Century.

Institute for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education at Indiana University Bloomington
The Institute for STEM Education provides resources for teachers, counselors, university instructors, and members of industry and the community relating to STEM education and standards in Indiana.

Illinois: High Technology School-to-Work Program
The High Technology School-to-Work Program provides grants to consortia of high technology businesses and local schools. The goal of the program is to improve education and to prepare Illinois’ students to transition from school to high skilled, high paying jobs in the areas of science, mathematics, and advanced technology.

Kentucky's STEM Imperative: Competing in the Global Economy
This report contains recommendations from Kentucky's STEM Task Force, comprised of government, business, industry, and education leaders. This web page also includes links to other STEM initiatives and resources in Kentucky.

Massachusetts STEM Collaborative
Founded at UMass Lowell, the Mass STEM Collaborative's mission is to dramatically increase student interest in, and preparation for, careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and to increase the number of highly-qualified teachers in math, science, technology and engineering.

Creating Minnesota's Plan For Career Development in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
This report outlines the final recommendations of the Governor's Roundtable on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, a group composed of civic, business, education, and non-profit leaders.

Missouri Math, Engineering, Technology, Science Initiative (METS)
The Missouri METS Initiative aims to improve the performance of P-20 students in METS subjects, expand the pool of Missouri students pursuing METS careers, expand the pool of K-12 METS teachers, and to increase public awareness of the importance of METS-related industries and jobs in enhancing Missouri's global competitiveness and innovation. The initiative includes a Math and Science Alliance, made up of leaders from government, education, and industry.

Ohio STEM Initiative
The Ohio STEM is a joint effort among the Ohio Board of Regents, Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Legislature to improve the teaching of science and mathematics while encouraging Ohio's students to pursue fields of study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Texas High School Project: Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (T-STEM)
This initiative builds on state and local efforts to improve math and science achievement among Texas students and pilots innovative ways of delivering science, engineering, and math education, focusing on increasing the number of students who study and enter science, technology, engineering, and math careers. The goals of the project include the establishment of 35 STEM Academies, 5-6 STEM Centers, and a statewide best-practices network.

SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS AND CURRICULA

Project Lead the Way
Project Lead the Way is a four year sequence of courses which, when combined with college preparatory mathematics and science courses in high school, introduces students to the scope, rigor and discipline of engineering and engineering technology prior to entering college. A critical component of the Project Lead The Way program is its comprehensive teacher training model. The curriculum these teachers are required to teach utilizes cutting edge technology and software requiring specialized training. Ongoing training supports the teachers as they implement the program and provides for continuous improvement of skills.

NATIONAL REPORTS

Preparing for the Perfect Storm: Developing a National Action Plan to Address the "T&E" of STEM
This report from the Education Development Center includes recommendations from more than 150 STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and business professionals for actions to build a robust technology and engineering pipeline.

Addressing the STEM Challenge by Expanding Specialty Math and Science High Schools
This report from the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Sciences, and Technology argues that specialized high schools focused on mathematics, science, technology, and engineering can serve an important role in improving the United States' ability to remain competitive in the global economy.