Four years removed from the pandemic, students are still struggling with learning loss in math and sciences. Professional development programs have also sputtered, preventing some teachers—and students, as a result—from reaching their potential. Getting K12 on the right track requires a concerted effort from districts, states and even the federal government to get classrooms excited about STEM, says Jeremy Anderson, CEO of the National Math + Science Initiative.
“We need to help these teachers fully understand the empowerment they have and the impact they’re going to make on the future workforce of America,” he says on the latest episode of the Talking Out of School podcast.
Anderson and the National Math + Science Initiative work across districts in nearly 40 states, helping education leaders streamline their STEM programs and build a stronger American workforce capable of filling some of the most sophisticated jobs in cybersecurity, data science and other areas. “Our professional development is focused on strengthening teachers’ skills and equipping them with strategies that we believe the studies are showing will inspire the next generation of STEM professionals and innovators.”
But to cultivate an educated workforce of tomorrow, K12 stakeholders must ensure these opportunities are available for students from all walks of life. “It has to be done, and that’s where our focus is,” he says. “If you look at the number of unfilled STEM jobs across America, they’re not going to be filled just by one demographic getting a degree.
“We have to have more women. We have to have more students of color,” he concludes. “It may not be what they’re considering their [favorite] course, yet once they get into it, they get really excited.”
You can listen to this episode on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or down below:
