What Is STEM?
STEM is a short acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math. Within this cluster the main ideas include the providing, planning, and managing of scientific research such as laboratory testing, clinical trials, and research. Jobs among the STEM career cluster offer high demand, and jobs that industries depend on, which creates a desirable market for skilled professionals. The origin of STEM dates back to 1862, under the Morill Act (“this act made it possible for states to establish public colleges funded by the development or sale of associated federal land grants“) It started as a promotion to agricultural science, but the act later established engineering programs as well. After more land was granted, the STEM training began infiltrating the workforce as well. STEM’s growth has been consistent over the past three decades, tallying a 79% occupation increase in that time. Currently, there are about 2.4 million jobs, with an estimated 6.9% growth rate over the next 10 years.
Extended History
Reverting back to the Morill Act of 1862, if we fast-forward almost a century we begin to see the first modern STEM initiatives after the National Defense Education Act (1958) granted over $775 million between scholarships, loans and equipment towards the progression in math, science, and foreign language instruction. After this, over 16,000 students were funded in pursuit of doctorates in STEM fields from 1959-1969.
Graphs and Statistical Data
Based on the graph above, we can see that just in the last 10 years the demand for computer occupations is as high as 70% more predominant than other fields in the STEM career cluster. Computer occupations would fall under the technology category of STEM, and as we transition to more jobs and career fields that require artificial intelligence, we will continue to see this number rise.
As our country progresses technologically and with more science based information being used, occupations such as aerospace engineers, chemists, microbiologists, and thousands more have been common among the American people.