Why STEM?

Our nation is at risk; our quality of life for our children and grandchildren is threatened.

We've all heard it before - companies based in countries like India and China that, by providing labor from typists and call center operators to accountants and computer programmers, are able to provide cost advantages through modern communications. That said, a country's ability to innovate, provide unique intellectual property and patents, is becoming its only competitive advantage.

The United State's ability to innovate and compete in the global marketplace is directly related to the ability of our educational system to prepare all of our children in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). However, we are rapidly losing our competitive edge within STEM subjects as our students are failing to keep up with our international peers.

In the 2006 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), the average mathematics achievement of U.S. students was higher than that of only five Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries:

Source: PISA 2006: Science Competencies for Tomorrow's World Executive Summary

Here in Hawaii, studies have shown students to be behind national averages, and the gap is widening:

SAT Scores of College-Bound Seniors

Currently, 80% of Hawaii's high school graduates are from public schools. While private school graduates are generally doing well, many public school students need improvements, especially in mathematical and science training. The 2009 and 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress Average standardized test administered throughout Hawaii public schools indicates that Hawaii is behind the nation in math and science abilities. Even more alarming, the table below shows how the gap widens from a grade 4 three point difference to an eight point average difference in grade 8 math when compared to the U.S. national average. Similarly, in science, the gap widens from a grade 4 seven point difference to a twelve point average difference in grade 8 when compared to the U.S. national average.

As a result, 81% of students entering community colleges require remediation courses in math. Clearly, many of our high school graduates are not prepared for postsecondary education, much less high-quality, knowledge-intensive careers that pay living wages and require strong STEM skills.

From 2002-2007, Hawaii's technology sector grew jobs at a 3.3% growth rate compared to the overall Hawaii economy at 2.5%. Tech jobs also paid 38% higher earnings than the average worker in Hawaii. These jobs are forecasted to grow 61% faster than the rest of Hawaii's economy. 77% of those jobs will require postsecondary education, particularly in STEM-related fields.

For more proof, see "An Inconvenient Reality" and "Innovation and Technology in Hawaii: An Economic and Workforce Profile" in the Document Library.

So What Are We Doing About It?

The Hawaii Excellence in Science & Technology (HiEST) Academy Program

The goal of the HiEST Academies is to increase the readiness and motivation of Hawaii high school students to pursue higher education opportunities and eventual career options in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. The program provides participating students high school and community college credit for completion of a rigorous STEM curriculum that combines experiential project-based learning with a standards-based, applied science and math curriculum. HiEST Academies currently serve an estimated 2,300 students at Baldwin, Campbell, Kahuku, Ka'u, 'Olomana, Waialua and Waipahu High Schools. Governor Linda Lingle announced in her State of the State Address on January 25, 2010, that she has authorized the use of $3,156,402 in federal stimulus funds to support the HiEST Academies. For more information, please read this program overview (PDF) and the Governor's news release.

The Fostering Inspiration and Relevance through Science & Technology (FIRST) Pre-academy Program

The FIRST pre-academies are envisioned to provide structure and resources to programs that spark interest in middle school students by involving them in solving real-world problems, combining academic learning and hands-on experience. The idea is to provide the motivation for students to choose a path leading to enrollment in a HiEST Academy. School participation is voluntary, and to date, 26 middle schools have established FIRST Pre-Academies. Governor Linda Lingle announced in her State of the State Address on January 25, 2010, that she has authorized the use of $3,063,000 in federal stimulus funds to further expand this program. For more information, please read this program overview (PDF) and the Governor's news release.

Professional development opportunities for practicing elementary, middle and high school teachers to improve STEM content and teaching methods

A component of the Hawaii STEM Innovation in Education Initiative is the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program within the University of Hawaii. Administered by the University of Hawaii College of Engineering, the RET supports the development of middle school teacher technology skills and knowledge, and the development of middle school curriculum materials in science, technology, engineering, and math subject areas, with a focus on wireless communications. To learn more about RET, and how teachers connect with professionals and industry in academia to advance STEM-related curriculum in schools and allow professional to offer research and technical ideas, please go to SIP Hawaii.

Another component of the initiative is a professional development program to provide practicing elementary, middle, and high school teachers of science and mathematics with opportunities to increase their knowledge and understanding of recent developments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The professional development program is administered by the University of Hawaii's College of Education and will be open to both certificated and non-certificated teachers. Since its inception, intensive professional development has been provided to 137 elementary and secondary teachers in math and 375 elementary and secondary teachers in science. As a result, 9,000 elementary and 19,000 secondary students have been impacted. For courses on professional development in STEM fields, please see the UH Course Schedule.

Internships/Mentorships

Part of experiential learning involves placing students in businesses and other organizations outside the school setting to work, observe or to be mentored by those currently engaged in STEM professions. This most often involves internships, mentorships, and job shadowing opportunities. Internships/Mentorships gives students a realistic understanding of what the work place is like and what people in various fields actually do on the job, including how people really interact and accomplish goals in the workplace. This experience is invaluable in helping students make education, career, and lifestyle decisions. Internships/Mentorships also provide added and often essential value for Hawaii's business community, and ultimately the economy as a whole. A number of national companies have begun establishing intern/mentorship programs as far down as middle school in an attempt to ensure a future workforce. This is a mutually beneficial opportunity. To see how students and industry may connect, check out SIP Hawaii.

Creativity Academies

Creativity Academies (CA) is a new curriculum paradigm for the 21st century that fuses the creative arts, science and technology in a dynamic course content which excites and engages students in STEM education. CA is grounded in Art 112 and Physics 100, and integrates the creative disciplines of animation, game design, creative writing and digital media in a standards-based curriculum for middle and high school students statewide. The CA concept evolved through a series of discussions between students, teachers, industry leaders in STEM, digital media and government. Through a partnership between DBEDT's Creative Industries Division, the University of Hawaii Community Colleges/ Kapiolani Community College, Department of Education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), students in STEM and New Media Arts, Ulua Media, and business and industry, the concept is to fuse arts and science in a modular curriculum. The goal of CA is to produce students with strong foundations in the concept of art and physics and career-aligned industry-standard competencies in digital media production. For more information, please see Creative Academies.

Robotics Organizing Committee

The Hawaii Robotics Organizing Committee (ROC) serves as the foundation of support for the six pillars of robotics programming in the state of Hawaii: FIRST Robotics, Botball, FIRST LEGO League, VEX, Underwater ROV and Micro Robotics, and provides support in areas of fundraising, team development and professional development. Over the past 3 years, student participation in robotics education has grown tremendously. Currently, 182 public, charter and private schools have robotics teams in one or more of the six robotics programs, accounting for 47 percent of Hawaii's schools. Scholastic robotics programs have shown to increase students' interest STEM fields, develops leadership, organization, communication, media and public relations skills, promotes team work, time management, and problem solving–all life skills that every employer is seeking in any young person, regardless of profession. Governor Linda Lingle announced in her State of the State Address on January 25, 2010, that she has authorized the use of $2,805,200 in federal stimulus funds to enhance robotics education programs in Hawaii's schools. For more information, please visit the ROC.

"It Takes a Village"

However, no matter how much federal and state dollars are poured into programs that encourage and strengthen STEM education, "It Takes a Village" to achieve the academic outcomes and career interests America and Hawaii needs to maintain competitiveness and preserve our quality of life.

Student Achievement & Career Interest depends on:

• Relevance: Contextual Learning Tools
• Home: Parental Awareness and Engagement
• Private Sector: Volunteers, Mentors, Internships, Financial Support
• Public Sector: Policy, Educational Incentives, Teacher Support
• Schools: Charters, Scholarships and Student Mentors

"Every time there's an educational crisis we hire more teachers, build more schools, and buy more books, but if the student is not interested, there is no point. This is a demand issue, not a supply issue."
- Dean Kamen