Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Education

Why STEM Matters

To grow up prepared for the 21st century, students need to be inspired by science during their most formative years. Yet, American schools are placing an insufficient emphasis on the “STEM” fields, and students’ proficiency and interest are waning.

Citizen Schools is doing what schools can’t do alone. We bring expert scientists, engineers, and mathematicians to low-income middle school students to make learning relevant and new career paths possible.

Read more about what Citizen Schools is doing to transform STEM education.

STEM and Public Policy

Join us and support the America COMPETES Act with these changes:

Broaden eligibility for the Laboratory Science Pilot Program to include programs that deliver hands-on learning in settings both in the lab and beyond
Encourage professionals to get involved, and fund organizations that actively connect them with schools
Allow high-performing non-profit organizations, in addition to universities and local education agencies, to serve as lead applicants for the Math Science Partnerships program and other COMPETES funding.
Explicitly include middle schools and middle school students in the bill

The Challenge
- Half of the 30 fastest growing occupations in the United States require math and science training
- Less than 6% of high school seniors today plan to pursue engineering degrees, down 36% from a decade ago
- Among the teenagers who express interest in science and math careers, nearly two-thirds indicate that they are discouraged from pursuing them because they do not know anyone who works in these fields or understand what people in those fields do
Make a Difference

Volunteer to teach a STEM apprenticeship >>