Students in kindergarten this year will graduate in 2033. It is our responsibility to ensure that our children are prepared to lead our country in the 21st Century and compete in the global marketplace. According to a report by the Center on Education and the Workforce, there will be eight million jobs available in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related fields by 2022.

However, there are indications that a vast majority of the next generation of employees in America will be unprepared and unqualified to take advantage of these positions. This goes contrary to fact that there is a strong desire in this country for all students to perform to their maximum potentials. To reverse this trend, we need to provide our children with a strong academic education that includes a solid foundation in STEM, and guides them to pursue careers in STEM-related fields. STEAM is gaining traction as a movement in government and research circles as well.