A little more than a month ago, the Central Florida Future ran an editorial stance titled, “STEM initiatives not the answer,” which casted a critical gaze on America’s education system. Sources listed in the article showed good reason for the criticism, too: surveys rank American students poorly in terms of their math and science scores as compared to other countries, jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields are difficult to find, and companies that are employing people in these fields report low satisfaction with the results. The overall conclusion of the article was that STEM programs in this country, which received $3.6 billion in the 2010 fiscal year, are not working.
India Planning its own Mission to Mars
August 18th, 2012 by Brad Graham
Just over a week after NASA successfully landed its Curiosity Rover on Mars, India announced its own plans to launch its first mission to Earth’s next-door neighbor. Prime Minister Manmohan
Know what it takes to grow U.S. innovation? Prove it.
August 18th, 2012 by Brad Graham
The question of how to grow U.S. innovation and, in so doing, sharpen the nation’s competitive edge is one for which there are myriad answers. Is the solution improving the patent laws, changing the immigration laws, upending the educational system — or, perhaps, all of the above?
Posted in: Economy, Education, Immigration, STEM
Study: College Grads Weathering Economic Storm
August 17th, 2012 by Brad Graham
New research from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce reiterates a truism that may resonate with college graduates in a tough economy. On average, college grads continue to earn nearly twice as much as high school graduates, according to the report, “The College Advantage: Weathering the Economic Storm.”
Immigration and STEM
August 14th, 2012 by Rich Feller
The mayor of New York City makes a powerful connection about the importance of STEM and a connection to immigration…Article>>
Posted in: Immigration, STEM
Petroleum Industry Attracts Engineering Students
August 6th, 2012 by Brad Graham
Just three years ago, petroleum engineering wasn’t an especially hot major for college students looking to enter a field with plentiful jobs. A recent study of 60,000 college students, including 2,400 in Texas, by Universum, a Stockholm-based company, found that students view jobs at oil and gas companies as much more desirable than even a year ago. Top salaries paid by energy companies are making energy jobs a hot ticket on college campuses.
Posted in: College, Engineering, Majors, STEM
‘Girls Who Code’ Inspires Teen Girls Towards Tech Careers
August 6th, 2012 by Brad Graham
‘Girls Who Code’, created by Reshma Saujani, a former deputy public advocate for New York City, started the program because she was struck by the number of girls she met in public housing projects that had an interest in tech, but limited resources to follow their pursuits in the field. Working with diverse young women, Saujani and ‘Girls Who Code’ partner with top tech companies like Google and Intel to add more diversity and gender diversity in STEM workplaces.
Mars Rover Creates 7 Thousand Jobs!
August 6th, 2012 by Brad Graham
As the new rover that just landed on Mars looks for signs of life there, the NASA program that runs it is supporting life here on Earth — with jobs. NASA spokesman Guy Webster said the rover, named Curiosity, is currently supporting about 700 people, but has supported 7,000 jobs at various times over the last eight years. The Curiosity project and its $2.5 billion budget has generated jobs not just at NASA but at companies ranging from Lockheed Martin to a bicycle manufacturer in Chattanooga, Tenn.
