What is S.T.E.M. and why is it important to everyone? S = Science T = Technology E = Engineering M = Mathematics

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1 What is S.T.E.M. and why is it important to everyone? S = Science T = Technology E = Engineering M = Mathematics 1

2 S.T.E.M. Defined The definitions of STEM, and what is excluded, varies from organization to organization. In the broader definition, STEM degrees includes the fields of Chemistry, Computer and Information Technology Science, Engineering, Geosciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Social Sciences, and STEM Education and Learning Research. 2

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5 S.T.E.M. Facts According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, in the next five years, STEM jobs are projected to grow twice as quickly as jobs in other fields. While all jobs are expected to grow by 10.4%, STEM jobs are expected to increase by 21.4%. Similarly, 80% of jobs in the next decade will require technical skills. The US Department of Labor claims that out of the 20 fastest growing occupations projected to 2014, 15 of them require significant mathematics or science preparation. The U.S. will have over 1 million job openings in STEM-related fields by 2018; yet, according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, only 16% of U.S. bachelor s degrees will specialize in STEM. As a nation, we are not graduating nearly enough STEM majors to supply the demand. To put these numbers into perspective, of the 3.8 million 9th graders in the US, only 233,000 end up choosing a STEM degree in college (National Center for Education Statistics). That means only six STEM graduates out of every 100 9th graders. (The STEM Dilemma) 5

6 N.J. Facts In New Jersey, the demand for employees with these skills is particularly acute: two recent reports project that some 269,000 STEM-related positions will be created here by The 21st Century Afterschool Science Project is a federallyfunded project supported by the New Jersey Department of Education for out-of-school time (OST) [before-school, afterschool, summer, winter recess, and weekends] programs in New Jersey. The project was a collaboration among the New Jersey Department of Education, Liberty Science Center and the New Jersey School Age Care Coalition, to develop, pilot test and document a replicable model to enrich student learning and engagement in the afterschool setting. 6

7 How to get my child started? Reading various books Buy your child a laptop or tablet PC The Internet Movies & TV Events and after school programs Video Games Join BDPA New Jersey ( 7

8 What can BDPA New Jersey do for me? Provide community events & activities for families Allow your kids to join and participate in various STEM programs Give scholarship opportunities to High School & College Students Provide mentoring to students Provide networking events Provide educational seminars & webinars on STEM topics Help your child prepare for college and a career 8

9 What BDPA New Jersey Offers What is the HSCC & SITES? HSCC (High School Computer Competition) is designed to introduce Middle School and High School Students to Information Technology and its various uses. Students will have the opportunity to participate in 3-hour training sessions each Saturday from February to August to learn in-depth topics such as Web Development, Application Development, Database Design, and Database Development. SITES (Student Information Technology Education and Scholarships) is the main program that houses the HSCC program as well as other student programs such as the IT Showcase and YTC (Youth Technology Camp). These programs are designed to expose our youth to the concepts of computers and give them the expertise to develop web applications. Some chapters will participate in regional competitions throughout the country to further prepare their students. Each BDPA chapter is able to send one team of 3 to 5 students to the National Conference to compete against teams from chapters all over the country. 9

10 What BDPA New Jersey Offers Webinar Presentations (Online for Free) Today, BDPA-NJ continues to build its membership and to provide even more meaningful programs and opportunities for our members, our communities here in New Jersey and for our corporate and strategic partners. We offer free webinars each month on business and technology related topics. Our speakers are subject matter experts willing to teach our audience in a open forum online. REGISTER ONLINE: BDPA iradio ( ) A bi-weekly interview Q & A radio show that listeners can download in MP3 format or stream as audio from the Internet. Interviews are held with local chapter leaders, national officers, regional officers an industry leaders. Interview extend for minutes per guest with up to 3 guests per show. The show airs on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 8:30pm EST. Available on itunes. 10

11 Events BDPA New Jersey Events Calendar (Local Events) RSS Feed ( REGISTER ONLINE: BDPA National Chapter Events Calendar (National Events) RSS Feed ( 11

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STEM Program Planning Tool

STEM Program Planning Tool A project of the California AfterSchool Network and the California STEM Learning Network made possible with the generous support of the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the Noyce Foundation, and the Samueli