What are STEM skills?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
But what are STEM skills and why do they matter?
Four billion people on the planet use a mobile phone, while 3.5 billion people use a toothbrush. In the past two years, 90% of all of the world’s data has been generated. NASA plans to set foot on Mars in the next 20 years, and driverless cars are already being tested in Europe. The future is here, and it requires people fluent in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Currently, 870 million people around the world do not have enough to eat. How can agricultural practices be improved in order to minimize hunger around the world?
Currently, 780 million people do not have access to clear water. How can we improve access and sanitation to those in need?
We’ve had the warmest decade on record worldwide. How do we thrive during times of global climate change?
STEM requires the ability to look at and propose solutions to a problem through multiple approaches, including ones that are highly creative or “out-of-the-box.”
Effective STEM learning requires you to analyze information, evaluate designs, reflect on your thinking, synthesize new ideas, and propose creative solutions.
In STEM, mistakes and failed attempts are positive experiences, offering opportunities for deeper learning.
Big challenges are rarely solved by individuals. Working on STEM problems also involves learning to work as a productive part of a collaborative team.
Nationwide, growth in STEM careers outpaces that of any other occupational category. In addition, STEM careers offer higher beginning salaries and more career earning potential than most other fields. The advancements of technology have also increased the demand for STEM skills in non-traditional STEM industries.
Have a knack for analyzing data, but also have an affinity for sports? Imagine being a data analyst for ESPN. Love coding, but also have a passion for fashion? Become an app developer for the next fashion app. In STEM, there are alternative career paths made just for you.
The possibilities are endless with STEM jobs available across every industry.
Enjoy the videos listed under each industry sector. See where the world is already headed and ask yourself,
"Where do I see myself in this future?"
STEM in Agriculture & Natural Resources
STEM in Arts, Media, & Entertainment
STEM in Building Trades & Construction
STEM in Education,Child Development, & Family Services
STEM in Energy & Utilities
STEM in Engineering
STEM in Fashion & Interior Design
STEM in Finance and Business
STEM in Health Science & Medical Technology
STEM in Hospitality, Tourism, & Recreation
STEM in Information Technology
STEM in Manufacturing & Product Development
STEM in Marketing, Sales, & Service
STEM in Public Services
STEM in Transportation
What other STEM futures can you imagine into reality?
"If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney
What will having STEM skills mean to you and your family?
How will applying STEM skills better your community?
What part will you play in building our future?
How are you getting ready to play that part?
Explore the K12 Career Education Navigator
The K12 Career Technical Education (CTE) Navigator helps you explore high school courses and career pathways offered across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Browse by industry sector, county, school district, and more to find options that match your interests and career goals and see how these pathways can prepare you for college, certifications, apprenticeships, or the workforce.
Credits:
Created with images by Ramón Salinero - "Orb of power" • NASA - "untitled image" • Cherry Laithang - "untitled image" • Imani - "untitled image" • Cinescope Creative - "untitled image" • Science in HD - "Pacific Northwest National Laboratories researchers at the Bioproducts Sciences and Engineering Laboratory at WSU-Tri-Cities use a robot to prepare high throughput samples for a variety of projects." • Omar Prestwich - "Taking night photo on phone" • SpaceX - "untitled image" • Antoine Dautry - "Pencil on system of equations" • Rob Lambert - "Welder smoke sparks" • Erwan Hesry - "untitled image" • Spencer Imbrock - "If you walk down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan at night around the holidays, you are there to see the high-end stores’ window displays. This scene, one of many in the windows of Bergdorf Goodman, shows a woman conducting madness of music around her in what seems to be an all-too-fitting metaphor to close out twenty seventeen." • ThisisEngineering RAEng - "Male sports engineer designs tennis testing equipment" • Element5 Digital - "untitled image" • Zbynek Burival - "Solar power plant" • ThisisEngineering RAEng - "Testing tennis balls" • Herbert Goetsch - "untitled image" • Austin Distel - "This photo is free for public use. Please credit this photo in caption with link to "www.distel.com"." • CDC - "X-ray showing Pneumonia" • Alexander Kaunas - "infinity pool in Thailand" • Markus Spiske - "Code on computer monitor" • Lenny Kuhne - "untitled image" • rupixen.com - "Stock photo of the Business Man with a credit card by rupixen" • camilo jimenez - "untitled image" • Bram Van Oost - "untitled image" • Joshua Sortino - "Sometimes you just have to look up." • Kenrick Mills - "untitled image"