The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) recently released a plan for improvements in K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education.

The executive report is available along with the full report- Prepare and Inspire: K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education for America’s Future. You can give feedback and comment on the report HERE. To get a sense of the report I have included the conclusions and recommendations below along with an embedded video clip.

Key Conclusions:

• TO IMPROVE STEM EDUCATION, WE MUST FOCUS ON BOTH PREPARATION AND INSPIRATION
• THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS HISTORICALLY LACKED A COHERENT STRATEGY AND SUFFICIENT LEADERSHIP CAPACITY FOR K-12 STEM EDUCATION

Recommendations:

1. STANDARDS: SUPPORT THE CURRENT STATE-LED MOVEMENT FOR SHARED STANDARDS IN MATH AND SCIENCE
2. TEACHERS: RECRUIT AND TRAIN 100,000 GREAT STEM TEACHERS OVER THE NEXT DECADE WHO ARE ABLE TO PREPARE AND INSPIRE STUDENTS
3. TEACHERS: RECOGNIZE AND REWARD THE TOP 5 PERCENT OF THE NATION’S STEM TEACHERS, BY CREATING A STEM MASTER TEACHERS CORPS
4. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY: USE TECHNOLOGY TO DRIVE INNOVATION, BY CREATING AN ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY FOR EDUCATION
5. STUDENTS: CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INSPIRATION THROUGH INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
6. SCHOOLS: CREATE 1,000 NEW STEM-FOCUSED SCHOOLS OVER THE NEXT DECADE
7. ENSURE STRONG AND STRATEGIC NATIONAL LEADERSHIP