How to Motivate US Students to Pursue STEM （Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics） Careers

STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) has been a powerful engine of prosperity in the US since World War II. Currently, American students' performances and enthusiasm in STEM education are inadequate for the US to maintain its leadership in STEM professions unless the government takes more actions to motivate a new generation of US students towards STEM careers. Despite coherent actions taken by the government and various institutions, the US cannot ensure the production of a sufficient number of experts in STEM fields to meet its national and global needs. The current situation is that the US is largely dependent on the foreign-born STEM workforce. This paper starts with a deeper look at the participation rate of American students in STEM careers and the basis of career choices by the US students. The discussion is driven by barriers and misconceptions about STEM education. It concludes with recommendations for how to motivate more US students to pursue STEM careers.

[1]  S. Rogers.  Rapid Prototyping: A Strategy to Promote Interest in STEM Careers , 2009 .

[2]  Richard M. Ingersoll,et al.  Is the Supply of Mathematics and Science Teachers Sufficient? , 2010 .

[3]  Terri L. Kurz,et al.  Using a Functional Approach to Change Preservice Teachers’ Understanding of Mathematics Software , 2006 .

[4]  Khe Foon Hew,et al.  Development of an Instrument to Measure Preservice Teachers' Technology Skills, Technology Beliefs, and Technology Barriers , 2008 .

[5]  Amy M. Hightower,et al.  Science and Engineering Indicators , 1993 .

[6]  Cameron Denson,et al.  Impact of an Engineering Mentorship Program on African-American Male High School Students' Perceptions and Self-Efficacy , 2010 .

[7]  Thomas M. Smith,et al.  The Condition of education , 1975 .

[8]  Eva Francisca Hinojosa Pareja,et al.  Education at a Glance 2009. OECD Indicators. , 2009 .

[9]  M. Robinson,et al.  Determining Why Students Take More Science Than Required in High School , 2008 .

[10]  M. Harris,et al.  Parents Have Their Say ... About Their College-Age Children ’ s Career Decisions , 2022 .

[11]  Susan Watts-Taffe,et al.  Preparing Preservice Teachers To Integrate Technology with the Elementary Literacy Program. , 2003 .

[12]  G. Borjas.  Do Foreign Students Crowd Out Native Students from Graduate Programs? , 2004 .

[13]  Pacific Disaster,et al.  SCIENCE - TECHNOLOGY - ENGINEERING - MATH , 2013 .

[14]  Pasi Sahlberg,et al.  Tough choices or tough times: The report on the new commission on the skills of the American workforce , 2008 .

[15]  Preparing Students With Disabilities for School-to-Work Transition and Postschool Life , 2005 .

[16]  D. Istance.  Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development , 1966, Nature.

[17]  B. Obama.  What Science Can Do , 2009 .

[18]  W. McComas.  STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics , 2014 .

[19]  Jeffrey J. Kuenzi.  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education: Background, Federal Policy, and Legislative Action , 2008 .

[20]  William J. Hussar,et al.  The Condition of Education , 2010 .

[21]  Linda T. Coats,et al.  THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROLE IN PREPARING FUTURE TEACHERS: THE IMPACT OF A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR PRESERVICE TEACHERS , 2004 .