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Bo Miller
Recently-released AP scores show the U.S. might be improving in STEM subjects
Less than half of high school graduates are ready for college-level math and less than a third are ready for college-level science in the United States, according to the ACT's Condition of College & Career Readiness report. The United States is clearly falling short in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education needed to produce the world-class talent that will be critical to fulfilling the requirements of the 21st-century workforce.
Revitalizing STEM education and increasing the number of students who choose STEM majors and careers is imperative for the future of the advanced manufacturing industry in the United States. Dow, like other companies dependent on a workforce proficient in science, technology, engineering, and math, has a responsibility to use our credibility, capabilities, and resources to make students, the workforce, and the economy stronger.
For our nation's young people, STEM education is a passport to a career full of exciting breakthroughs and solutions directly addressing global challenges current and future generations will need to address. A STEM-focused education provides students the opportunity to play a role in a variety of industries, including the chemical industry, which enables more than 96 percent of all manufactured goods.
The Case for Being Bold report from the
The time for action of STEM education is now. This year, the world celebrates the International Year of Chemistry (or IYC), designated by
At Dow, we are embracing these opportunities to utilize our role in industry to further STEM education, and we've directly tied STEM educational initiatives to an industry growth strategy. Advancing STEM education is a key component of our Advanced Manufacturing Plan for America, a comprehensive set of practical policy solutions and business strategies to reinvigorate manufacturing in the United States, leading to the long-term health of our nation's economy. We recognize that advances in innovation and technology investments drive the economic growth of America by supporting job creation. These advancements are critical to our nation's prosperity and security in the global marketplace.
Through the
Our most recent commitments, announced at the jobs-focused Clinton Global Initiative America meeting in June 2011, include:
-- A $3 million contribution to the
-- Our partnership with the Louisiana Community and
--
Not taking full advantage of our nation's science and technology enterprise will impact future prosperity for the United States and science and technology companies due to the thinning pipeline of world-class talent. Make no mistake--the future of industry could be at stake if there isn't enough "human capital" to power it forward.
Whether through encouraging a love of STEM topics in the next generation, facilitating teacher development, or offering vocational training, companies that have a vested interest in the future of manufacturing have a vital role to play in expanding and advancing STEM education in the United States.
Bo Miller is global director of corporate citizenship for
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Companies Must Play a Vital Role in STEM Education