courses in stem education

U.S. Department of Education

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, including Computer Science

YOU Belong in STEM

YOU Belong in STEM is a key component of the Biden-Harris Administration's Raise the Bar: STEM Excellence for All Students initiative designed to strengthen and increase Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education nationwide. This new Biden-Harris Administration initiative will help implement and scale equitable, high-quality STEM education for all students from PreK to higher education—regardless of background— to ensure their 21st century career readiness and global competitiveness. The imitative has three primary goals:

• Ensure all students from PreK to higher education excel in rigorous, relevant, and joyful STEM learning;
• Develop and support STEM educators to join, grow, and stay in the STEM education field; and,
• Invest in STEM education strategically and sufficiently using federal, state, and local funds.

In support of the initiative and its goals, the Department:

• Published a STEM Dear Colleague Letter to state and district leaders outlining how federal education funds can be used to enhance STEM teaching and learning.
• Partnering with EXPLR in hosting the first-ever 2024 National STEM Festival .
• Partnered with Women in Aerospace (WIA), the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Club for the Future, and the Space Foundation to develop a space communication campaign illustrating the value and benefits of the space enterprise.
• Partnered withBeyond100K to identify the key challenges regarding the supply and demand of STEM teachers at the state and local levels.

Table of Contents

Background Department Offices that Support STEM Examples of the Department's discretionary grants that can support STEM Grant Applicant Resources Call for Peer Reviewers America's Strategy for STEM Education Secretary's STEM Priority U.S. Department of Education STEM Newsletter Archived STEM Newsletters STEM Education Briefings Upcoming STEM Briefings Archived STEM Briefings Resources Other Communications Tools Other Federal Agency STEM Websites Department STEM Contacts

In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it's more important than ever that our nation's youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions. These are the kinds of skills that students develop in science, technology, engineering, and math, including computer science—disciplines collectively known as STEM/CS. If we want a nation where our future leaders, neighbors, and workers can understand and solve some of the complex challenges of today and tomorrow, and to meet the demands of the dynamic and evolving workforce, building students' skills, content knowledge, and literacy in STEM fields is essential. We must also make sure that, no matter where children live, they have access to quality learning environments. A child's zip code should not determine their STEM literacy and educational options.

Department Offices that Support STEM

Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development ( OPEPD ) Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education ( OCTAE ) Office of Elementary and Secondary Education ( OESE ) Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services ( OSERS ) Office of Postsecondary Education ( OPE ) Office of Non-Public Education ( ONPE ) Office of Educational Technology ( OET ) Office of English Language Acquisition ( OELA ) Institute of Educational Sciences ( IES ) White House Initiatives Federal Student Aid ( FSA ) Office of Communications and Outreach (OCO)

Examples of the Department's discretionary grants that can support STEM

Below are investments made in FY 2020:

• $3.6 million for the Alaska Native Education Equity Program
• $300,000 for Braille training (rehabilitation services demonstrations and training)
• $5.1 million for the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)
• $5 million for the Comprehensive Centers Program
• $185 million for the Education Innovation and Research Program (EIR) (awarded in early FY 2021)
• $124.7 million for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (Partnership Grants) (GEAR-UP)
• $23 million for Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need
• $25 million for Innovative Approaches to Literacy
• $5.7 million for the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program
• $900,000 for Migrant Education Consortium Incentive Grants (CIG)
• $29 million for the Native Hawaiian Education Program
• $12.6 million for the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP)
• $1.4 million for the Perkins Innovation & Modernization Grant Program
• $300,000 for Strengthening Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI)
• $2.3 million for Strengthening Native American Nontribal Serving Institutions (NASNTI)
• $1.5 million to provide special education programs in educational technology, media, and materials for students with disabilities via a cooperative agreement with the Center on Early STEM Learning for Young Children
• $9.3 million to provide special education programs educational technology, media, and materials for individuals with disabilities via Stepping Up
• $151.2 million for Federal TRIO Programs
• $73.7 million for Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED)
• $49.4 million for the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP)
• $28.2 million for Education Research Grants Programs
• $1.5 million for the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program
• $4.3 million for the Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) Program
• $11.1 million for the Special Education Research Grants Program
• $6.3 million for Research Training in the Education Sciences
• $2.6 million for Research Training in Special Education
• STEM Investment Summary FY2018-2020

You can search for open discretionary grant opportunities or reach out to the Department's STEM contacts noted below. The Forecast of Funding Opportunities lists virtually all Department discretionary grant programs for FY 2021.

Grant Applicant Resources

The Department published in spring 2020 two new grant applicant resources. These resources were developed to (1) provide an overview of the discretionary (or competitive) grants application process and (2) offer more details intended to be used by prospective applicants, including new potential grantees. These support one of the Secretary's new administrative priorities on New Potential Grantees that was published in March 2020. They can also be found under the "Other Grant Information" on the ED's Grants webpage .

Call for Peer Reviewers

The Department is seeking peer reviewers for our Fiscal Year 2024 competitive/discretionary grant season, including in the STEM/CS areas (among others). The Federal Register notice spotlights the specific needs of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA),, the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). The How to Become a Peer Reviewer slide deck provides additional information and next steps.

America's Strategy for STEM Education

The STEM Education Strategic Plan , Charting a Course for Success: America's Strategy for STEM Education , published in December 2018, sets out a federal strategy for the next five years based on a vision for a future where all Americans will have lifelong access to high-quality STEM education and the United States will be the global leader in STEM literacy, innovation, and employment. It represents an urgent call to action for a nationwide collaboration with learners, families, educators, communities, and employers—a "North Star" for the STEM community as it collectively charts a course for the Nation's success. The Department is an active participant in each of the interagency working groups focused on implementation of the Plan.

Learn more about what the Department and other federal agencies are doing to implement the plan in these progress reports:

Progress Reports

October 2019 December 2020 December 2021

Secretary's STEM Priority

Secretary Cardona finalized his six priorities for use in agency discretionary grant programs; equitable access to rigorous STEM, including computer science, experiences is noted in Priority 2. The Department also issued a revised set of common instructions for grant applicants.

• Proposed Priority 1--Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Students, Educators, and Faculty.
• Proposed Priority 2--Promoting Equity in Student Access to Educational Resources and Opportunities,.
• Proposed Priority 3--Supporting a Diverse Educator Workforce and Professional Growth to Strengthen Student Learning.
• Proposed Priority 4-- Meeting Student Social, Emotional, and Academic Needs.
• Proposed Priority 5--Increasing Postsecondary Education Access, Affordability, Completion, and Post- Enrollment Success.
• Proposed Priority 6--Strengthening Cross-Agency Coordination and Community Engagement to Advance Systemic Change.

U.S. Department of Education STEM Newsletter

In February 2020, the Department created the U.S. Department of Education STEM Newsletter. Please go to our newsletter subscription page to sign-up.

Archived STEM Newsletters

January 2023 October/November 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 October 2021 Addendum September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020

STEM Education Briefings

The STEM Education Briefings are live-streamed, close-captioned and archived for your convenience.

Upcoming STEM Briefings

There are no upcoming STEM briefings at this time.

Archived STEM Briefings

November 15, 2022 –   Public Health and STEM with CDC ( presentation slides [ MS PowerPoint , 40MB]) September 16, 2022 –   The Pathway to Convergence ( presentation slides [ MS PowerPoint , 77MB]) July 19, 2022 –  Girls in STEM  (21stCCLC Summer Symposium) April 26, 2022 – Learning with NASA is Out of this World March 25, 2022 – Science: Call to Action ( presentation slides [ MS PowerPoint , 22MB]) February 24, 2022 – Rural STEM Education ( presentation slides [ MS PowerPoint , 125MB]) January 19, 2022 - Think Globally, Teach Locally ( presentation slides [ PDF , 10MB]) December 9, 2021 –  Environmental Literacy November 30, 2021 – Energizing STEM ( presentation slides [ PDF , 6.7MB]) October 15, 2021 – Data Literacy ( presentation slides [ PDF , 12.6MB]) July 28, 2021 – Advanced Manufacturing: Industry of the Future ( presentation slides [ PDF, 11.3MB]) May 4, 2021 – Summertime STEM ( presentation slides [ PDF, 18.3MB]) March 25, 2021 – Differing Abilities in STEM, featuring Dr. Temple Grandin ( presentation slides [ PDF, 13.7MB]) February 2021 – Inspiring STEM Interest ( presentation slides [ PDF, 3.7MB]) December 2020 – New Frontiers in K-12 Computer Science ( presentation slides [ PDF, 12.7MB]) November 2020 – Federal STEM Strategic Plan: 2 Years Later ( presentation slides [ PDF, 15.49MB]). October 2020 – Invention Education ( presentation slides [ PDF, 13.13MB]) September 2020 – STEM Teacher Preparation ( presentation slides [ PDF, 3.5MB]) August 2020 – Cybersecurity Education ( presentation slides [ PDF, 10.5MB]) July 2020 – Early Math ( presentation slides [ PDF, 2.37MB]) June 2020 – Distance Learning February 2020 – STEM After School January 2020 – STEAM: Arts Supporting STEM December 2019 – Family Engagement in STEM November 2019 – The STEM Opportunity Index October  2019 – Early Engineering Education and State Efforts September  2019 – Recruiting and Retaining 100K STEM Teachers in 10 Years July  2019 – What Do We Know about Computer Science Education?

Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades Designing and Delivering Career Pathways at Community Colleges Learning in a Pandemic Webinar Fall 2020 Back-to-School Success Stories COVID-19 Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel ESEA, IDEA, and Perkins Resources College Scorecard ― updated again on 1/15/21 Exploring Career Options – FSA Work-Based Learning Stackable Credentials that lead to careers Cross-agency teacher resources IES data and statistics, research and evaluation, and tools for educators Out of School STEM Initiatives The ED Games Expo "Goes Virtual" to Support Distance Learning STEM Data Story — A Leak in the STEM Pipeline: Taking Algebra Early CTE Data Story — Bridging the Skills Gap: Career and Technical Education in High School STEM Spotlights Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide Early Learning: STEM – Math Video Keep Calm and Connect All Student OET Blog Series K-12 Practitioners' Circle STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education (STEMI2E2) Center and OSEP's Early Learning Newsletter A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities CTE Research Center Civil Rights Data Collection Department's Data Strategy

Other communications tools

Homeroom Blog Press Releases Twitter Newsletter Subscriptions

Other Federal Agency STEM websites

The following are federal agencies that the Department collaborates with to support the aims of the STEM Education Strategic Plan (see above section for more details) and support the Department's stakeholders.

• Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)
• STEM Education Advisory Panel
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Department of Defense (DOD)
• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Department of Energy (DOE)
• National Science Foundation (NSF) and NSF INCLUDES
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) at National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC))
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• Smithsonian Institute
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (U.S. Department of the Interior)
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC))
• U.S. Census Bureau  – Statistics in School 
• STEM4ALL  - website for federal internships, scholarships, and training opportunities. 
• Q-12 Education  - K-12 quantum learning tools and inspire the next generation of quantum leaders.  
• Quantum.gov  - home of the National Quantum Initiative.  
• AI.gov  -  National Artificial Intelligence Initiative.

Department STEM Contacts

For inquiries, please reach out to [email protected]

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What is STEM? What You Need to Know

Krystal DeVille

March 21, 2024

STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is more than just a group of subjects. It’s a way of integrating these crucial areas into a holistic approach to learning and problem-solving.

As I explore STEM, I envision it as a fusion recipe that blends four basic ingredients to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. This educational framework aims to develop not only knowledge but also the ability to apply that knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways:

• STEM intertwines science, tech, engineering, and math for integrated learning.
• A quality STEM education encourages problem-solving and real-world application.
• STEM fields are known for their significant growth and lucrative job opportunities.

Fundamentals of STEM

STEM education is genuinely at the forefront of preparing students for the tech-savvy job market that awaits them, or really, any job they would like to pursue.

Definitions and Components of STEM

STEM, the acronym, rolls off the tongue a bit easier than saying science, technology, engineering, and math each time, right? These four pillars are more pivotal than they have ever been. You see how fast the world changes.

I don’t think I’m that old, but I do remeber my teacher telling me I won’t always have a cacular in my pocket, (jokes on her right!?)

STEM is not just a collection of subjects, but an interdisciplinary approach. That’s really what sets it apart from “just learning.” It’s about interconnecting these fields to solve real-world problems rather than studying them in isolation.

Science explores the natural world, from atoms to ecosystems. Technology is all about gadgets and software – basically anything to make our lives easier and more connected.

Engineering is where design and utility meet, crafting everything from bridges to circuit boards. And let’s not forget math, the language that underlies it all, where we crunch numbers and patterns to predict outcomes. Where we have to prove it on paper to show that the “math works.”

History and Evolution of STEM

Back in the early 2000s, educators coined the term “SMET” but let’s be honest, it wasn’t catchy. Thankfully, Winona State University President Judith Ramaley had a lightbulb moment and switched the letters around to STEM — score one for marketing!

This idea wasn’t just a fresh coat of paint on an old concept; it signified a shift in thinking. Educators recognized the need for students to engage with these subjects cooperatively.

They revamped curricula to reflect this, realizing that the challenges of tomorrow require people who don’t just memorize facts but understand how to apply knowledge creatively and collaboratively. Facts don’t matter; if there is nothing practical, you get out of them.

This shift also led to the introduction of STEAM, where the ‘A’ stands for the Arts, acknowledging that creativity is just as crucial in innovation.

If you’d like to read more about STEAM, please take a look at our article: STEM vs. STEAM , Making Room for The Arts.

STEM Education

STEM education isn’t just a bunch of subjects thrown together; it’s about blending science, technology, engineering, and math in a way that gets students ready for a future where these skills will be in high demand.

Let’s get into what makes STEM education so important in schools and how it’s taught beyond the classroom walls.

Importance of STEM in Schools

STEM education is critical for young minds in elementary, middle, and high school. It’s not just about prepping U.S. students for the workforce. It’s about building literacy in STEM fields that sets a foundation for any career path they might choose later on.

I see firsthand how essential STEM skills are for development. When students get a taste of project-based learning, they’re building bridges to the future.

Curriculum and Learning Models

At its best, it incorporates a variety of learning models.

Blended learning is an excellent example, where students spin their gears online and hands-on. Doing research online or on the computer is fine, but students need to get away from the screen and get their hands on something to understand it fully.

Special shout-out to the interdisciplinary nature of STEM that bonds different subjects coherently.

Imagine it: A high school programming task suddenly throws in a curveball from physics, sparking a lightbulb moment for a student. It’s all about making connections, much like piecing together a puzzle that reveals a bigger picture.

STEM Beyond the Classroom

The magic of STEM doesn’t vanish when the school bell rings and the kids leave.

STEM literacy is an ongoing journey that extends to after-school programs, coding boot camps, and DIY science kits at home . High school students often roll up their sleeves in science fairs or internships that provide hands-on experience with real-world applications.

Seeing K-12 students approach everyday problems with a STEM mindset proves how valuable these skills are outside the traditional learning environment.

It’s a testament to the adaptability and relevance of STEM education that it doesn’t restrict itself to classroom corners.

It spills out, influencing how young minds perceive and interact with the world around them.

Understanding the basics of stem is just the beginning. Let’s go a little deeper and read our article on ‘ How can STEM education shape the future ’ and discover its pivotal role in molding tomorrow’s leaders.

Key Areas of Focus in STEM

Let’s get into the core components of STEM.

Science and Mathematics

Science is where curiosity meets experimentation. From physics to biology and chemistry , science encompasses various disciplines that allow us to understand the natural world.

Think of biology as studying life, chemistry as exploring substances, and physics as the foundation of natural phenomena.

It’s the blend of these natural sciences that provides us the canvas to paint our understanding of life, matter, and the forces that bind them.

Then there’s mathematics . The language of logic, it runs through the veins of STEM like a binding melody.

From basic algebra and geometry to brain-bending calculus and statistics , math provides tools for solving problems big and small.

Whether you find yourself calculating the area of complex shapes or crunching big data through statistical analysis, mathematics is the trusty sidekick to the sciences, making sense of patterns and quantifying our discoveries.

Technology and Engineering

Now, for technology and engineering – they’re the builders of our modern world that we always see.

Both fields rely on applying what we learn from science and math to create tangible solutions. Engineering is the practical application of those disciplines to design everything from bridges and gadgets to the device you’re using right now, with subdivisions like electronics and robotics .

Speaking of gadgets, Technology is the umbrella under which those gadgets dance in the rain of progress.

It includes information systems like computer science , which basically allows us to chat, share, and store information instantly.

Engineering and tech are the forces driving us forward, and they’re constantly evolving, so staying on top of the latest developments is as exciting as essential.

With each area interlacing closely with the others, STEM creates an intricate dance of knowledge that pushes the boundaries of what we can achieve.

It’s not just about individual brilliance, like that of mathematicians or scientists, but about collective progress in these interdependent fields.

Career Perspectives in STEM

In STEM fields, the job landscape is vibrant, with plenty of room for newcomers like me to hop in.

Job Market and Demand

Isn’t it something? Data points to a 79% employment growth in STEM fields over three decades. What’s more, they peg an 11% boom from 2020 to 2030.

It’s not just IT and computer science; areas like electrical and mechanical engineering are also on fire.

As a STEM enthusiast, I can barely contain my excitement over these spirited demands in the job market.

STEM Professions and Skills

I’ve seen how STEM majors queue up to get into roles that require not just technical prowess but also an analytical mindset and the agility to navigate an economy fueled by continuous research and development.

The National Science Foundation says we STEM professionals are the backbone of innovation and economic growth, and who am I to argue?

High salary prospects sweeten the deal, especially in roles like systems managers where numbers can bubble up to six figures.

Here’s what’s trending in skills and roles:

• Computer Science & IT : Coding, cybersecurity, and data analytics are gold.
• Engineering : Both electrical and mechanical engineering demand creative problem-solving.
• Mathematics : Skills in analysis and modeling can weave through various sectors.

Broadening Participation

Diversity and Inclusion in STEM

Initiatives: Bold steps are being taken by organizations like the National Science Foundation (NSF) to involve a more diverse population in the sciences.

They recognize the importance of nurturing talent from underrepresented groups such as black and hispanic communities, and have developed initiatives aimed at encouraging their participation in STEM.

The numbers: Surprisingly, only a sliver of NSF funding goes towards such initiatives, but it’s a growing priority.

With schemes like the INCLUDES program , the goal is to dramatically shift the needle on this.

Education: Let’s not forget the folks standing in front of the classroom.

STEM teachers hail from all different backgrounds and are critical in shaping young minds.

The U.S. Department of Education understands this; hence, it pours resources into training a workforce of educators that mirrors the diversity of their students.

It’s about relatability and the light bulb moments that happen when students see themselves in their mentors.

Women and Minorities in STEM

Statistics today: Fasten your seatbelts because the stats are in, and they might rattle you.

Women and minorities are still vastly underrepresented in STEM careers.

Change is on the horizon: But change doesn’t come from just sitting back.

Groups like the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and initiatives from the White House aim to rewrite this stale narrative by creating environments where everyone gets a fair shot at success.

Community and Support: It’s all about building a community now, isn’t it?

For women and minorities, this is a game changer.

These initiatives provide both a shoulder to lean on and a springboard to soar from – figuratively speaking. They’re creating a sense of belonging in places where it was scarce – that’s the magic ingredient for a thriving career in STEM.

International Perspective

Stem around the world.

In Australia , students are embracing STEM to become pivotal players in the global economy.

Their education system focuses on innovation and practical applications, pushing students to think beyond the textbook.

On the other hand, China is sprinting forward in STEM.

With a considerable push from the government, Chinese students often outshine others in international rankings like PISA. This shows that they aren’t just good at taking tests — they’re also becoming champions of innovation.

France and the United Kingdom are no slouches either.

They link STEM closely to economics, ensuring their citizens are equipped for future markets. Both nations believe in starting STEM education early, fostering a sense of intrigue and creativity in young minds.

Comparative Education Systems

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. How do education systems stack up?

The U.S. government has been a formidable force in promoting STEM, yet there’s room for improvement.

This is especially true when I peek at PISA scores , which show that American students often lag behind their peers in places like East Asia.

Comparing these systems feels like flipping through a kaleidoscope of methodologies.

Some countries stress rote learning, while places like the United Kingdom emphasize a more hands-on approach.

Every country I look at has its way of doing things, but no matter the method, the aim is the same: to equip students with the skills needed for a tech-driven future.

Advancements and Future of STEM

I’m about to walk you through a maze of brainy breakthroughs and a sneak peek at the skills you’ll need to thrive in the fast-moving STEM job market.

Innovations in STEM Education

In my journey through the world of STEM, I’ve seen some real game-changers in education.

We’re not just talking about learning science and math anymore. It’s how these subjects swirl together with technology and engineering that really spices things up.

We’ve moved beyond the classroom walls, with long-distance learning making a serious splash.

And you bet, arts are getting into the mix too—hello, STEAM! This creative buddy brings a whole new layer of imagination and innovation .

• Integration : Subjects are interlocking like pieces of a puzzle, making learning a whole scene and not just scattered bits.
• Creativity : Ditch the yawn-worthy lectures. Educators are crafting courses that light fires under our seats with exciting projects.
• Communication : It’s not a one-way street anymore. Students talk back, brainstorm, and swap ideas like Pokémon cards.

Industry Growth and Future Skills

Move over, old-school careers; the STEM industry’s growth is like popcorn at the movies—fast and massive.

My best guess is a rise in jobs across computer science , health , medicine , and robotics .

But wait, there’s more. We can’t ignore the hefty role of computing across other sectors, like economics , spurring on development and fattening up the economy .

• Computing : From writing code to cybersecurity—basically anything that makes you feel like a wizard.
• Data Analysis : It’s all the rage, like the avocado on toast of skills.
• Adaptability : Tech’s sprinting, not strolling, and keeping up means lacing up those flexible thinking shoes.

STEM’s trajectory is clear: innovate, integrate, and keep learning fun while polishing up the skills that’ll keep you ahead of the game.

From quantum computing to bionic limbs, the advancements we’re seeing are just the trailer of what’s to come. I’m stoked to see where it all leads—aren’t you?

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s unravel some common curiosities about STEM education that might be buzzing in your head.

How does STEM education impact high school students?

I’ve noticed high schoolers who get into STEM programs often get a leg-up on critical thinking, problem-solving, and team collaboration.

It’s not just homework; they’re solving real-world puzzles.

What are the key skills developed in STEM programs?

In my experience, STEM hones in on problem-solving and innovation. You learn to tackle challenges with creativity, which is sort of like flexing your brain muscles in new ways.

Can you tell me about the career paths for STEM graduates?

STEM grads often land in diverse fields, from app development to renewable energy. There’s a ton of options, whether you fancy coding or crafting things.

What types of activities are included in STEM for younger kids?

Let me paint you a picture: it’s less about the ‘sit still and listen’ and more ‘let’s build a volcano!’ Kids get their hands dirty with experiments and interactive projects that make learning a blast.

Author: Krystal DeVille

Title: stem education guide founder, expertise: homeschooling, kids education, parenting.

Krystal DeVille is an accomplished journalist and homeschooling mother who created STEM Education Guide, a site that revolutionizes learning in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for children. It makes complex subjects engaging and understandable with innovative, hands-on approaches.

2 thoughts on “What is STEM? What You Need to Know”

This is so interesting!!. How can one be a part of the STEM movement, especially one in the design and manufacturing industry?

To get involved in the STEM movement, especially in design and manufacturing, you can start by taking courses in STEM subjects online or somewhere local to you. Joining organizations like the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) can help with networking and resources you might have thought of. Participating in workshops and conferences will keep you updated with industry professionals.

Keep me updated and let me know how it’s going!

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The University of Iowa Online Master’s in STEM Education

“The importance of a diverse STEM-educated workforce to the nation's prosperity, security, and competitiveness grows every year.” 1

We urgently need more highly qualified and effective STEM teachers to create that workforce. The online MS in STEM Education, focusing on integrated inquiry and innovation, will help you prepare K-12 students to thrive in the 21st-century economy. Earn this experience-rich degree no matter where you live in as little as two years on a part-time schedule.

• Complete in as few as 2 years
• Start in Spring, Summer, or Fall
• 8-week courses

Fill the need for STEM educators

Energize your career.

Put your MS to work in the classroom, as an administrator or beyond.

Ignite your students’ learning

Give them the power to see and explore STEM connections all around.

Teach while you learn

Our flexible program fits your life and offers immediate career impact.

Take your career and students further

Want to see how a master’s degree can help you teach better, lead more effectively and fuel your career? Complete the form to get a program brochure.

Get valuable insights into the online experience, learn more about the College of Education, and see where this degree can take you.

This will only take a moment.

Uniquely practical curriculum

Experience first-hand the educational power of our teaching model in the uniquely well-designed fieldwork opportunity that is the centerpiece of our flexible curriculum. Working with your advisor and community partners, you’ll devise 10 real-world STEM research questions, then select one to develop into a capstone project. Your project will include community engagement, research, and lesson plans for your classes.

Iowa stands for innovation

The University of Iowa has been moving education forward for more than 175 years. In the 1930s, we hosted the first educational television station in the country. Today we’re pioneering new and better ways to teach STEM subjects to students at all grade levels. That's one reason U.S. News and World Report ranks us as the #23 Best Online Master’s in Education and the #1 college in Iowa. 2, 3

Embrace the future as a STEM teacher

Kindle your career and your students’ passion for STEM with the holistic problem-solving skills you gain in the University of Iowa online MS in STEM Education. Learn strategies and techniques to successfully implement a STEM-integrated curriculum, empowering students to succeed in the innovation-centered roles dominating the 21st-century job market.

Depending on the electives you choose, you may also be able to complete many of the requirements for the State of Iowa K-12 STEM Education Specialist endorsement. Candidates seeking the endorsement may need to complete additional coursework before applying to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

The 36 semester-hour curriculum for the online MS in STEM Education encompasses:

• 6 semester hours of independent research
• 3 semester hours on issues in U.S. schools
• 6 elective semester hours on math and science subjects
• 6 semester hours of additional electives
• 6 semester hours of extracurricular experience and capstone

When you complete the program, you will have a sturdy theoretical foundation for your STEM teaching and extensive practical experience, plus several new connections with classmates, faculty, and your community research partners.

Review the Curriculum

This program fits your schedule. Not the other way around.

You don’t have to give up your other commitments to complete this 24-month program, which is thoughtfully designed for working teachers. You can begin the program when the time is right for you and carry a part-time course load, taking one 8-week class at a time, without courses overlapping.

Lots of collaborating, no commuting.

Asynchronous course delivery and our robust online learning platform allow you to work on your schedule while sharing the journey with peers and professors.

Immediate impact.

Because you can keep teaching while you learn, you can immediately see the impact of your new skills and techniques as they help your students thrive.

Core Course Highlight

Stem through mathematical modeling.

Learn mathematical modeling as an integrated approach for teaching science, engineering and technology, as well as math. You’ll engage in a process that focuses on understanding new concepts based on existing knowledge and includes:

• Developing conjectures
• Critiquing arguments
• Revising ideas to reach conclusions

This course will show you how to create a learning environment that helps your students understand the core concepts in STEM and apply them to real-world situations.

Elective Course Highlight

Generation innovation: technology integration in 21st-century k-12 schools.

Explore the shifting paradigm of technology deployment in K-12 settings. Examine several topics related to technology in education, including

• Diversity and equity
• Theories of technology-enhanced teaching and learning
• Digital citizenship and more

Get a big-picture perspective on how technology shapes curriculum, teacher professional development, and student learning and identity development.

Craft a capstone project as unique as you are

A third of your course credits for the MS in STEM Education at Iowa derive directly from your independent work to synthesize the concepts you’ve learned and apply them in your local school environment.

Through partnerships with local organizations and STEM experts, you will develop research projects and lesson plans that address teaching standards in your subject and school system, and present it all to your classmates at the end of the course. Students typically take the 6-semester-hour capstone course (EDTL 6764) in the summer.

You decide, with support and advice from our expert faculty, which to pursue as your capstone experience. Students have done projects on endangered species, water quality monitoring and conservation, and the flow of energy and matter in an ecosystem, among others.

View the video

Online Master’s in STEM Education Faculty

When you enroll in Iowa’s online MS in STEM Education, you can count on coaching and support from our faculty with recognized expertise and thought leadership in their fields. Our instructors are active researchers who have published extensively and contribute to the profession through their involvement with professional organizations.

Ted Neal, PhD

Clinical Professor of Science Education, Program Coordinator

Dae (Danny) S. Hong, EdD

Associate Professor of Math Education

Meet the faculty

Put your MS to work right away or go on for your PhD

Iowa’s MS in STEM Education provides immediate career impact for licensed STEM teachers and practitioners, and sound preparation for doctoral work.

Although a master’s degree is not required for most K-12 teaching positions, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that a master’s degree can boost your salary. Nationally and across professions, those with master’s degrees earn an average of 18% more than those whose highest degree is a bachelor’s. 4

Your master’s degree also opens doors to educational leadership and administration opportunities.

• K-12 classrooms
• Community programs
• Content creation and publishing
• Education advocacy
• Instructional leadership
• Curriculum development

Admissions Overview

Candidates for the MS in STEM Education should have a teaching license or certification and a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale from a bachelor’s degree program that included an educator preparation program.

Candidates with degrees or professional experience in the following areas are preferred.

• A science or math subject area
• Science or math education
• Elementary education with a science or math emphasis

Candidates who do not fit this description may still be admitted. Explore your options with an admissions outreach advisor .

More Admissions Info Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What services and support do i have access to as an online student.

• Remote access to UI Libraries’ subscription databases and research collections
• Research assistance by phone, email, or online meeting
• Book delivery (within the U.S.)
• Scanning and delivery of articles and book chapters
• Resource guides and recommendations for research tools

What are the technology requirements?

Is the university of iowa accredited, can i apply if my gpa is lower than 3.0, will my degree indicate that i completed coursework online, does this program offer licensure in iowa or any other state, is the gre or any other examination required, can i take the courses out of sequence or start at a later date, can transfer credits from another college/university apply toward program requirements, how are the courses delivered, do i qualify for financial aid, admissions deadlines, summer 2024 term, spark your career, galvanize your students with iowa stem education.

* Tuition and fees are subject to change.

• Retrieved on February 9, 2023, from beta.nsf.gov/science-matters/what-do-data-say-about-current-state-k-12-stem
• Retrieved on February 7, 2024, from usnews.com/education/online-education/university-of-iowa-OEDU0796/education
• Retrieved on February 9, 2023, from premium.usnews.com/best-colleges/ia
• Retrieved on February 9, 2023, from bls.gov/careeroutlook/2021/data-on-display/education-pays.htm

The University of Iowa has engaged Everspring , a leading provider of education and technology services, to support select aspects of program delivery.

What is STEM Education?

STEM education, now also know as STEAM, is a multi-discipline approach to teaching.

• Importance of STEAM education

STEAM blended learning

• Inequalities in STEAM

Additional resources

Bibliography.

STEM education is a teaching approach that combines science, technology, engineering and math . Its recent successor, STEAM, also incorporates the arts, which have the "ability to expand the limits of STEM education and application," according to Stem Education Guide . STEAM is designed to encourage discussions and problem-solving among students, developing both practical skills and appreciation for collaborations, according to the Institution for Art Integration and STEAM .

Rather than teach the five disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEAM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications. 

According to the U.S. Department of Education "In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it's more important than ever that our nation's youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions." 

In 2009, the Obama administration announced the " Educate to Innovate " campaign to motivate and inspire students to excel in STEAM subjects. This campaign also addresses the inadequate number of teachers skilled to educate in these subjects. 

The Department of Education now offers a number of STEM-based programs , including research programs with a STEAM emphasis, STEAM grant selection programs and general programs that support STEAM education.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Education awarded $141 million in new grants and $437 million to continue existing STEAM projects a breakdown of grants can be seen in their investment report .  

The importance of STEM and STEAM education

STEAM education is crucial to meet the needs of a changing world. According to an article from iD Tech , millions of STEAM jobs remain unfilled in the U.S., therefore efforts to fill this skill gap are of great importance. According to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics there is a projected growth of STEAM-related occupations of 10.5% between 2020 and 2030 compared to 7.5% in non-STEAM-related occupations. The median wage in 2020 was also higher in STEAM occupations ($89,780) compared to non-STEAM occupations ($40,020).

Between 2014 and 2024, employment in computer occupations is projected to increase by 12.5 percent between 2014 and 2024, according to a STEAM occupation report . With projected increases in STEAM-related occupations, there needs to be an equal increase in STEAM education efforts to encourage students into these fields otherwise the skill gap will continue to grow. 

STEAM jobs do not all require higher education or even a college degree. Less than half of entry-level STEAM jobs require a bachelor's degree or higher, according to skills gap website Burning Glass Technologies . However, a four-year degree is incredibly helpful with salary — the average advertised starting salary for entry-level STEAM jobs with a bachelor's requirement was 26 percent higher than jobs in the non-STEAM fields.. For every job posting for a bachelor's degree recipient in a non-STEAM field, there were 2.5 entry-level job postings for a bachelor's degree recipient in a STEAM field. 

What separates STEAM from traditional science and math education is the blended learning environment and showing students how the scientific method can be applied to everyday life. It teaches students computational thinking and focuses on the real-world applications of problem-solving. As mentioned before, STEAM education begins while students are very young:

Elementary school — STEAM education focuses on the introductory level STEAM courses, as well as awareness of the STEAM fields and occupations. This initial step provides standards-based structured inquiry-based and real-world problem-based learning, connecting all four of the STEAM subjects. The goal is to pique students' interest into them wanting to pursue the courses, not because they have to. There is also an emphasis placed on bridging in-school and out-of-school STEAM learning opportunities. 

– Best microscopes for kids

– What is a scientific theory?

– Science experiments for kids  

Middle school — At this stage, the courses become more rigorous and challenging. Student awareness of STEAM fields and occupations is still pursued, as well as the academic requirements of such fields. Student exploration of STEAM-related careers begins at this level, particularly for underrepresented populations. 

High school — The program of study focuses on the application of the subjects in a challenging and rigorous manner. Courses and pathways are now available in STEAM fields and occupations, as well as preparation for post-secondary education and employment. More emphasis is placed on bridging in-school and out-of-school STEAM opportunities.

Much of the STEAM curriculum is aimed toward attracting underrepresented populations. There is a significant disparity in the female to male ratio when it comes to those employed in STEAM fields, according to Stem Women . Approximately 1 in 4 STEAM graduates is female.  

Inequalities in STEAM education

Ethnically, people from Black backgrounds in STEAM education in the UK have poorer degree outcomes and lower rates of academic career progression compared to other ethnic groups, according to a report from The Royal Society . Although the proportion of Black students in STEAM higher education has increased over the last decade, they are leaving STEAM careers at a higher rate compared to other ethnic groups. 

"These reports highlight the challenges faced by Black researchers, but we also need to tackle the wider inequalities which exist across our society and prevent talented people from pursuing careers in science." President of the Royal Society, Sir Adrian Smith said. 

Asian students typically have the highest level of interest in STEAM. According to the Royal Society report in 2018/19 18.7% of academic staff in STEAM were from ethnic minority groups, of these groups 13.2% were Asian compared to 1.7% who were Black. 

If you want to learn more about why STEAM is so important check out this informative article from the University of San Diego . Explore some handy STEAM education teaching resources courtesy of the Resilient Educator . Looking for tips to help get children into STEAM? Forbes has got you covered.  

• Lee, Meggan J., et al. ' If you aren't White, Asian or Indian, you aren't an engineer': racial microaggressions in STEM education. " International Journal of STEM Education 7.1 (2020): 1-16. 
• STEM Occupations: Past, Present, And Future . Stella Fayer, Alan Lacey, and Audrey Watson. A report. 2017. 
• Institution for Art Integration and STEAM What is STEAM education? 
• Barone, Ryan, ' The state of STEM education told through 18 stats ', iD Tech.  
• U.S. Department of Education , Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, including Computer Science.  
• ' STEM sector must step up and end unacceptable disparities in Black staff ', The Royal Society. A report, March 25, 2021.  
• 'Percentages of Women in STEM Statistics' Stemwomen.com  

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Introduction to PhET Simulations for STEM Education

This course is part of Active Learning in STEM with PhET Interactive Simulations Specialization

Taught in English

Some content may not be translated

Instructors: Zachariah Mbasu +1 more

Instructors

Instructor ratings.

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

Financial aid available

3,483 already enrolled

(47 reviews)

Recommended experience

Beginner level

This course is appropriate for pre-service and in-service elementary, secondary, and higher education science and math educators.

What you'll learn

Learn what makes PhET simulations unique.

Find simulations that are relevant to your classes.

Reflect on how to increase educational equity through active learning.

Skills you'll gain

• Lesson Plan

Details to know

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Build your subject-matter expertise

• Learn new concepts from industry experts
• Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
• Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
• Earn a shareable career certificate

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

There are 7 modules in this course

PhET Interactive Simulations ( https://phet.colorado.edu/ ), a project of the University of Colorado Boulder, provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations for use across, primary, secondary, and higher education levels. We extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. All simulations are open source and free to all students and teachers.

In this course, you will learn how to access and share PhET simulations with your students, and explore the features that make PhET sims a powerful tool for science and mathematics teachers. You will also learn about how to ensure equity in your teaching through the use of active learning. This course is the first one of the specialization “Active Learning in STEM with PhET Interactive Simulations”, which includes 4 courses in total. To finish this course, you need to complete one assignment with Peer Review: 1) Selecting PhET simulations. This course is also available in Spanish as “Introducción a las Simulaciones PhET para la Educación STEM” and in Portuguese as "Introdução às Simulações PhET para Educação STEM".

Module 1: An Intro to PhET Simulations

In this module, you will learn how to access and share PhET simulations with your students, and explore the features that make PhET simulations a powerful tool for science and mathematics teachers.

What's included

5 videos 19 readings 5 quizzes 2 discussion prompts 1 plugin

5 videos • Total 17 minutes

• A Brief Introduction to PhET • 6 minutes • Preview module
• PhET Website Tour • 5 minutes
• Exploring the PhET Sim Design Process • 4 minutes
• PhET Quick Tips: Projector Mode • 0 minutes
• PhET Quick Tips: PowerPoint Add-In • 1 minute

19 readings • Total 65 minutes

• Welcome! • 10 minutes
• A Brief Introduction to PhET • 1 minute
• PhET Website Tour • 1 minute
• Exploring the PhET Sim Design Process • 1 minute
• Play with Simulations • 1 minute
• Free PhET Teachers Account • 10 minutes
• Teacher Tips • 10 minutes
• Screens • 1 minute
• Complex Controls • 2 minutes
• Insights into Student Use • 2 minutes
• Customization Options • 8 minutes
• Model Simplifications & Suggestions for Use • 1 minute
• Video Primers for Individual Sims • 1 minute
• Integration and Sharing • 2 minutes
• Projector Mode • 1 minute
• PhET PowerPoint Add-In • 1 minute
• PhET in Google Classroom • 1 minute
• PhET in OneNote Documents • 1 minute
• Embedding PhET with an iFrame • 10 minutes

5 quizzes • Total 135 minutes

• Play with Simulations Tasks • 30 minutes
• Simulation Teacher Resources • 30 minutes
• Exploring Teacher Tips • 30 minutes
• Exploring a Video Primer • 15 minutes
• Practice with Integration • 30 minutes

2 discussion prompts • Total 20 minutes

• Exploring the PhET Sim Design Process • 10 minutes
• Play with Simulations Reflection • 10 minutes

1 plugin • Total 5 minutes

• Pre-Survey • 5 minutes

Module 2: Maximizing Access to PhET Simulations

In this brief module, we focus on cultivating a more accessible learning environment that fosters equitable learning and belonging for all students. Specifically, we reflect on the many ways to access PhET simulations.

6 readings 1 quiz

6 readings • Total 12 minutes

• The Importance of Access and Inclusion • 1 minute
• Platform Compatibility • 2 minutes
• Sharing Simulations • 5 minutes
• Downloading HTML5 Simulations • 1 minute
• Downloading Java Simulations • 1 minute
• Downloading PhET Apps for Computers and Mobile Devices • 2 minutes

1 quiz • Total 30 minutes

• Downloading Simulations • 30 minutes

Module 3: Maximizing Inclusion with PhET Simulations

In this module, we focus on cultivating a more inclusive learning environment that fosters equitable learning and belonging for all students. Specifically, we reflect on inclusive features that PhET simulations offer.

9 videos 14 readings 4 quizzes 1 discussion prompt

9 videos • Total 21 minutes

• Inclusive Features in Action • 2 minutes • Preview module
• Alternative Input • 2 minutes
• Camera Input: Hands • 2 minutes
• Sound and Sonification • 3 minutes
• Interactive Description • 3 minutes
• Voicing • 2 minutes
• Pan and Zoom • 1 minute
• Interactive Highlights • 1 minute
• How to Find Inclusive Features • 2 minutes

14 readings • Total 45 minutes

• Inclusive Features for Diverse Learning Needs • 5 minutes
• Alternative Input • 1 minute
• Camera Input: Hands • 1 minute
• Sound and Sonification • 1 minute
• Interactive Description • 10 minutes
• Accessing Inclusive Features • 2 minutes
• Flexibility and Contextualization • 1 minute
• Modify Settings • 5 minutes
• Customize Screens • 5 minutes
• Translations • 5 minutes
• Customization for Translated Simulations • 5 minutes

4 quizzes • Total 35 minutes

• Practice Quiz: Using Inclusive Features • 5 minutes
• Modifying Settings • 10 minutes
• Quiz (Practice): Customize a URL • 10 minutes
• Quiz (Practice): Practice Finding Translated Simulations • 10 minutes

1 discussion prompt • Total 10 minutes

• Reflecting on Inclusive Features • 10 minutes

Module 4: Embedding PhET into Your Teaching with Activities

Now that you are familiar with PhET simulations, how to access them, and their inclusive features, this module focuses on how to integrate them into your curriculum through activities.

1 reading 1 quiz 1 peer review

1 reading • Total 5 minutes

• Teacher Submitted Activities • 5 minutes
• Practice Finding Activities • 30 minutes

1 peer review • Total 120 minutes

• Selecting PhET Simulations • 120 minutes

Module 5: Creating an Equitable Learning Environment and Culture with PhET

In this module, we focus on cultivating a teaching and learning environment that fosters equitable learning and belonging for all students. Specifically, we reflect on how our tendencies as teachers and learners influence the expectations we set and how to move toward Active Learning with PhET simulations.

1 video 7 readings 1 quiz 4 discussion prompts

1 video • Total 5 minutes

• PhET Founder on Creating Learning Environment and Culture • 5 minutes • Preview module

7 readings • Total 49 minutes

• Learning Environment and Culture • 2 minutes
• Relevance, Representation, and Accessibility • 1 minute
• Establishing a Growth Mindset • 30 minutes
• PhET's Equity Framework • 5 minutes
• Relevance, Representation, and Accessibility • 5 minutes
• An Equity Assessment of a PhET Simulation • 5 minutes
• Equity through Active Learning • 1 minute

1 quiz • Total 20 minutes

• Assessing Equity • 20 minutes

4 discussion prompts • Total 35 minutes

• Equity in Your Classroom • 5 minutes
• Reflecting on Goals • 10 minutes
• Fostering Growth Mindsets with Students • 10 minutes
• Inviting Student Voice • 10 minutes

Module 6: Active Learning with PhET

This final module in this course lays the foundation for equity by identifying characteristics of Active Learning, including pedagogical approaches that promote a growth mindset, student agency, and voice, helping students to take ownership of their learning of math or science.

12 readings 2 discussion prompts

12 readings • Total 42 minutes

• Active Learning: a Foundation for Equity • 1 minute
• Characteristics of Active Learning • 1 minute
• Address Students' Prior Knowledge • 5 minutes
• Connect to Context • 1 minute
• Support Collaboration • 1 minute
• Promote Belonging • 1 minute
• Provide Scaffolds • 1 minute
• Assessments as Learning Opportunities • 2 minutes
• A Spectrum of Styles of Active Learning • 2 minutes
• Research on Active Learning in STEM • 15 minutes
• Active Learning with PhET Simulations • 10 minutes
• Finding Activities • 2 minutes

2 discussion prompts • Total 70 minutes

• Active Learning in Your Classroom • 10 minutes
• Finding an Activity that Uses Active Learning • 60 minutes

Module 7: Conclusion and Next Steps

In this final module, we will ask you to reflect on your achievements and identify areas for improvement, provide feedback on this course, and share information on how to download your certificate once you have completed all requirements.

1 reading 1 quiz

1 reading • Total 2 minutes

• Get Your Certificate • 2 minutes

1 quiz • Total 10 minutes

• Congratulations! • 10 minutes

CU-Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.

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Activity Design with PhET Simulations for STEM Education

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Reviewed on May 5, 2023

This Course is a necessity for teachers, especially those in science. It makes teaching science seamless. It is a great Course with modern teaching strategies.

Reviewed on May 20, 2024

Teachers learn to prepare an active learner's lesson Plan at the end of the course.

Reviewed on Nov 23, 2023

I love this program. The ease with which your certificate is delivered upon the completion of your weekly module is amazing. Thank you Coursera! Thank you University of Colorado!

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Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:

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When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

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Accredited online colleges in louisiana, cheapest online colleges in california, what are the 12 ivy league schools, 6 month certificate programs that pay well 2024, cheapest law schools online 2024, 2-year rn programs online, what is stem.

STEM fields—encompassing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—are foundational to a wide range of disciplines that drive innovation and progress.

These areas play a crucial role in advancing technology and knowledge, contributing to problem-solving and critical thinking in various industries.

Table of Contents

The importance of STEM extends well beyond individual career prospects; it underpins economic growth and global competitiveness, and it presents solutions to many contemporary challenges.

Despite their significance, STEM industries face a unique conundrum.

While they are expanding rapidly, creating abundant opportunities, there is a noticeable gap in qualified candidates to fill these roles. This scarcity is a hurdle for industries striving to keep pace with technological advances and the ever-changing economic landscape.

As students and professionals consider their fields of study and career paths, STEM offers a compelling option with its diverse opportunities and its pivotal role in shaping the future.

Key Takeaways

• STEM fields are integral for technological advancement and innovation.
• There is a high demand for skilled professionals within STEM careers.
• STEM education is vital for economic development and global competition.

Exploring the Domains of STEM

STEM encompasses a broad range of academic and professional fields where the exploration of natural and applied sciences meshes with analytical rigor.

Central to STEM are fields such as  biology ,  physics ,  chemistry , and subsets of  life sciences  and  ecology , which delve into the intricacies of living organisms and their environments. These areas often employ the  scientific method  to understand the world.

In technology and engineering, the focus shifts to the application of  scientific principles  to design solutions to real-world problems. This includes  computer science ,  IT ,  electronics , and various  engineering disciplines  — all united by a foundational reliance on  mathematics .

Mathematical fields like  algebra ,  calculus , and  geometry  provide the tools for modeling and problem-solving across STEM.

The inclusion of certain disciplines within STEM can spark debate.

Social sciences  such as  psychology ,  economics , and  anthropology  —while rich in empirical study— are often categorized separately due to their distinct methodologies. However, some broader interpretations of STEM embrace these fields, alongside architecture and select health and medical fields, recognizing the common thread of systematic inquiry and analytical application.

Consequently, STEM takes on an  interdisciplinary approach , bridging  natural sciences  with applied disciplines and often overlaps with the  arts , as seen in the  STEAM  education model where  design  and creativity play pivotal roles.

The Significance of STEM in Education

STEM education serves as a cornerstone for empowering the  workforce  of tomorrow. In an era where  innovation  is rapid, a robust STEM curriculum is crucial for  economic growth  and maintaining the United States' standing in the  global economy .

• Demand for STEM Professionals : The available jobs far outnumber qualified candidates, signaling a gap that education aims to close.
• Government Investment : Initiatives like the funding contributions of recent administrations underline the importance of STEM in national strategies.
• Diversity and Inclusion Efforts : Programs aimed at engaging  women  and  underrepresented groups  reflect the push towards a more diverse and inclusive  STEM workforce .
• Integration into K-12 Education : Incorporating  project-based learning  and  integrated learning  experiences from an early age sets a foundation for critical  problem-solving  skills and  real-world application .
• Higher Education Incentives : Scholarships and partnerships between  universities ,  nonprofits , and government entities offer motivators for students to pursue STEM degrees.
• Benefits Beyond Personal Career : A strong STEM education fosters competencies like  critical thinking  and  hands-on experience  that are vital for societal issues, including public  health  and  economy .

Popular Paths in STEM

STEM fields offer diverse career paths, with many opportunities in sectors like private corporations, educational institutions, research facilities, and government agencies.

Candidates with STEM qualifications often rise into management roles or enhance their expertise through further education and research endeavors. Here is a snapshot of sought-after STEM careers, highlighting median salaries and job growth projections:

• Software Developers : Specialists in creating and improving applications with a median salary of $109,020 and a substantial 25% job growth rate.
• Data Analytics and Statisticians : Experts who interpret data for businesses, with incomes around $96,280 and a high job growth projection of 31%.
• Computer Systems Analysts : Professionals who analyze and optimize IT systems, earning a median salary of $99,270 and witnessing a 9% job growth outlook.
• Mechanical and Civil Engineers : Engineers designing structures and machinery, making near $95,300 and $80,180 respectively, with a job growth of 10% for industrial engineering roles.
• Database Administrators : Responsible for managing databases with earnings about $101,000 and a 9% job growth forecast.

Each role requires a blend of expertise in areas such as programming, systems analysis, and engineering principles.

The demand for these positions is fueled by advances in technology and the ever-growing reliance on data-driven decision-making in both the private and public sectors. Qualified candidates with a strong background in mathematics, computer programming, and analytics will find numerous opportunities across these high-growth STEM fields.

Reasons to Choose a STEM Major

Proficiency in mathematics.

Mathematics is a cornerstone of STEM fields. Careers in STEM often entail a robust grasp of advanced math. Those less enthusiastic or challenged by math might consider other career paths or less math-intensive STEM roles.

Attributes of Math-Adept Individuals

• Strong analytical skills
• Aptitude for complex problem-solving
• Precision in numerical operations

Passion for Technological Advancements

At the core of several sought-after professions lies an affinity for technology. An inclination towards innovating with computers, vehicles, and other technological devices can be the driving force for a fulfilling career in STEM.

Characteristics of Technology Enthusiasts

• Eagerness to engage with the latest tech
• A knack for understanding digital systems
• Excitement about technological problem-solving

Preference for Desk-Based Occupations

For those inclined towards less physically demanding roles that involve minimal social interaction, a computer-centric job within the STEM sector may prove suitable.

Preferences Indicative of a Fit for Computer-Centric Roles

• Comfort with prolonged computer use
• Solitary work environment
• Structured tasks with clear objectives

Financial Aspirations

One of the enticing aspects of STEM careers is the potential for lucrative earnings. Emerging from college with a STEM degree may set the stage for a financially prosperous professional journey.

Financial Benefits Associated with STEM Jobs

• High entry-level salaries
• Promising salary growth potential
• Economic stability and career longevity

Common Inquiries Regarding STEM Education

Distinctive characteristics of stem education compared to conventional methods.

STEM education focuses on integrating disciplines in a way that encourages active learning rather than passive absorption of facts. In contrast to traditional education, which often delivers subjects in isolation, STEM emphasizes interconnected learning with real-world applications. It promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative skills, replacing the standard teacher-driven approach with experiential projects and inquiry-based learning.

STEM's Influence on Plant Biology

In the realm of plant biology, STEM merges life sciences with technological advances to address complex biological issues. This interdisciplinary approach facilitates innovative research in genetics, bioinformatics, and environmental science, leading to advancements in sustainable agriculture, disease resistance, and understanding ecosystem dynamics.

Salary Expectations in STEM Careers

STEM fields like science and engineering offer high-paying jobs for those who excel in these subjects. The skills you learn, like critical thinking and problem-solving, are in high demand. With a STEM career, you can make good money and have a real impact on the world. Below is a sample of STEM salaries per Indeed.com .

Software Engineer Salaries in the US

Software engineer salaries in the US vary widely depending on experience, location, and employer.

• Average salary:  $105,439 annually, with bonuses around $5,000.
• Range:  $66,363 to $167,522.
• Top cities:  San Francisco and Santa Clara ($151,202 and $147,917 average).
• Top companies:  Meta, Salesforce, and Apple (average over $162,000).
• Experience matters:  Salaries increase with experience, from $98,524 for beginners to $132,643 for those with 10+ years.
• Total compensation:  Includes bonuses, stock options, benefits like health insurance, and professional development opportunities.

Biomedical Engineer Salaries in the US

Biomedical engineering offers a rewarding career path at the intersection of healthcare and technology.

• Average salary:  $85,926 annually, with a range of $57,592 to $128,199.
• Demand is high:  Openings exist at government institutions (like the VA: $130,148-$169,195) and tech firms.
• Location matters:  Cities like Iowa City and Cincinnati offer higher salaries.
• Top employers pay well:  The FDA and Medtronic offer above-average salaries.
• Compensation beyond salary:  Health insurance and other benefits are common.
• Not just about money:  While salaries are good, only 54% are satisfied due to cost of living and job challenges.

Data Science Salaries in the US: Booming Field, Big Rewards

Data science is a hot career in the US.

• Average salary:  $124,234 annually, with a range of $80,188 to $192,474.
• Demand is high:  Jobs exist from remote Staff roles ($238,000) to Associate positions.
• Top companies pay well:  Capital One, Apple, and Meta offer over $167,000.
• Experience matters:  3-5 years gets you $143,158.
• Skills matter:  Cloud and DevOps expertise earns a premium.
• Good benefits:  Expect health insurance, 401(k)s, and flexible work.
• Satisfied with pay:  68% of data scientists find their salaries fair.

Environmental Science Careers

Environmental science tackles pressing environmental issues.

• Average salary:  $65,547, with a range of $44,611 to $96,309.
• Jobs everywhere:  From Tetra Tech in California ($67,000-$85,225) to BrightPath in Tennessee ($95,000-$115,000).
• Top employers:  Mix of private firms (Conetec) and government agencies (Rhode Island).
• Location matters:  San Diego and Richland offer higher salaries for specialized skills.
• Pay and satisfaction:  Only 46% are happy with pay, highlighting a need for salary adjustments.
• Benefits:  Expect health insurance, 401(k)s, and paid time off.
• Promising future:  Growing focus on sustainability creates more opportunities.

Top STEM Jobs with High Salaries

STEM Grads: Top Pay and Promising Careers

A recent Federal Reserve Bank analysis shows STEM majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) are earning the most compared to other recent grads (ages 22-27 with bachelor's degrees). Here's why STEM is a great choice:

• Highest starting salaries:  Engineering majors like chemical, computer, aerospace, and electrical engineering lead the pack.
• Strong salary growth:  Expect your income to jump 35% or more by mid-career.
• Science majors do well too:  Their salaries typically increase by 40% over their careers.
• Lower unemployment:  STEM jobs are in high demand, meaning a lower chance of being unemployed.
• Avoid lower-paying fields:  Consider other majors carefully, as education, hospitality, and theology may offer lower salaries and higher unemployment rates.

STEM's Approach to Child Engagement and Education

STEM targets children's innate curiosity and desire to explore. It employs hands-on experiments, interactive technology, and collaborative projects to make learning engaging and effective. By relating concepts to the world around them, STEM fosters an immersive environment for children to develop foundational skills necessary for future academic and career pursuits.

Degree Classifications within STEM at Collegiate Levels

STEM degrees encompass a vast array of majors designed to immerse students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. From bachelor's to doctorates, degree options include Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Science, and more specialized fields such as Aerospace Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Bioinformatics.

Courses and Areas that Constitute the STEM Framework

STEM covers diverse courses and disciplines, including, but not limited to:

• Biological and life sciences (e.g., biology, biochemistry)
• Computer and information sciences (e.g., information technology, computer programming)
• Engineering and engineering technology (e.g., civil engineering, electrical engineering)
• Physical sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry)
• Mathematics (e.g., statistics, applied mathematics)

Each course aims to provide in-depth knowledge needed for problem-solving in a technology-centric world.

What is STEM FAQ

What's the difference between STEM and regular classes?

STEM classes (science, technology, engineering, and math) mix these subjects together. Instead of just memorizing facts, you get to solve problems, be creative, and work with others on hands-on projects. It's learning by doing!

Why is STEM education important?

Today's jobs use a lot of technology, so STEM skills are in high demand. A STEM education prepares you for these jobs, from engineering and computers to medicine and finance.

What kind of jobs can I get with a STEM degree?

There are tons! Think engineering (building bridges!), computer science (creating apps!), healthcare (becoming a doctor!), and even things like finance (managing money). STEM skills open doors to many exciting careers.

Can young kids learn STEM too?

Absolutely! STEM activities can be as simple as building with blocks or playing with water. These can help kids love learning and problem-solving from a young age.

Will STEM help me get a good job?

Yes! Jobs that use STEM skills are growing quickly. A STEM education will make you more competitive in the job market and help you find a stable, well-paying career.

Is medicine considered STEM?

Yes! Doctors use science, technology, and math every day to diagnose patients, develop new treatments, and keep us healthy. So medicine is definitely a STEM field.

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Nasa stem opportunities and activities for students.

Multiple challenges and opportunities reaching a broad audience of middle and high schools, colleges, and universities across the nation.

Challenges are designed to build student knowledge and skills in STEM by focusing on NASA's goals, collaboration, and career pathways.

A real-world experience for college and university students and their advisors to develop technology needed to support NASA’s exploration goals.

Students ages 13-18, come dream with NASA Aeronautics and help us envision and market a more sustainable commercial aircraft.

University-level competition for teams to use the NASA systems engineering process to design, build, and operate a lunar robot.

A year-long commitment for Texas high school juniors related to space exploration, Earth science, technology, and aeronautics.

Middle/high school and college-level student teams design, build, test, and launch a high-powered rocket carrying a scientific or engineering payload.

A project based learning program for high school students to learn skills by designing and fabricating valued products for NASA.

A coding challenge in which NASA presents technical problems to middle/ high school students.

NASA SUITS challenges undergraduate or graduate students to design and create spacesuit information displays within augmented reality (AR) environments.

Undergraduate students design, build, and test a tool or device that addresses an authentic, current space exploration challenge.

Teams of high school and college students design, develop, build, and test human-powered rovers capable of traversing challenging terrain.

Eligibility at a Glance Requirements OSTEM Intern Pathways Intern International Intern Citizenship U.S. Citizen U.S. Citizen Citizen of a country…

The competition offers Tribal college-level students the opportunity to demonstrate engineering and design skills through direct application in high-powered rocketry.

Teams of professionals and young people are challenged to solve an engineering design problem in a competitive way.

• Extended University
• UTEP Connect
• December 2021

You’ve probably heard about STEM. The integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics has been a central focus both within and well outside of education. 

In fact, it’s such a powerful concept that it has been hailed as critical to the future — for children, diversity, the workforce and the economy, among other areas. That’s why STEM education has received hundreds of millions of dollars in support from the U.S. government and remains one of the biggest priorities at all levels of the educational system. UTEP also offers a master's degree and a graduate certificate in STEM Education.

But what actually is STEM education, and why is it so important? Here’s what you need to know and how you can help.

What Is STEM Education?

It would be inaccurate to assume that STEM education is merely instruction in the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Rather, the idea is taken a step further.  

STEM education refers to the integration of the four subjects into a cohesive, interdisciplinary and applied learning approach. This isn’t academic theory—STEM education includes the appropriate real-world application and teaching methods. 

As a result, students in any subject can benefit from STEM education. That’s exactly why some educators and organizations refer to it as STEAM, which adds in arts or other creative subjects. They recognize just how powerful the philosophy behind STEM education can be for students.  

Why Is STEM Education Important?

There are several layers to explore in discovering why STEM education is so important. 

In 2018, the White House released the “Charting a Course for Success” report that illustrated how far the United States was behind other countries in STEM education.  

It found that only 20% of high school grads were ready for the rigors of STEM majors. And how over the previous 15 years, the U.S. had produced only 10% of the world’s science and engineering grads. 

Since the founding of the Nation, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have been a source of inspirational discoveries and transformative technological advances, helping the United States develop the world's most competitive economy and preserving peace through strength. The pace of innovation is accelerating globally, and with it the competition for scientific and technical talent. Now more than ever the innovation capacity of the United States — and its prosperity and securit  — depends on an effective and inclusive STEM education ecosystem. - Charting a Course for Success

 That was one of the most news-worthy developments in recent years. It set the stage for many arguments behind STEM in the context of the global economy and supporting it through education. 

Job Outlook and Salary

One of the most direct and powerful arguments for the importance of STEM education is how relevant STEM is in the workforce. In 2018, the Pew Research Center found that STEM employment had grown 79% since 1990 (computer jobs increased 338%).  

What about now? All occupations are projected to increase 7.7% by 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Non-STEM occupations will increase 7.5% while STEM occupations will increase 10.5% .  

The findings are even more pronounced in terms of salary. The median annual wage for all occupations is $41, 950. Those in non-STEM occupations earn $40,020 and those in STEM occupations earn $89,780.  

Even areas like entrepreneurship see the same types of results. A report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) found that tech-based startups pay more than double the national average wage and nearly three times the average overall startup wage. They only make up 3.8% of businesses but capture a much larger share of business research and development investment (70.1%), research and development jobs (58.7%) and wages (8.1%), among other areas.  

Diversity and Skills

An important detail in the passage from “Charting a Course for Success” comes toward the end of the final sentence: “Now more than ever the innovation capacity of the United States—and its prosperity and security—depends on an effective and inclusive STEM education ecosystem.”  

Being inclusive is incredibly important once you understand how STEM occupations are such high-demand, high-paying positions. Unfortunately, however, diversity is a significant issue here.  

• The Pew Research Center noted how women account for the majority of healthcare practitioners and technicians but are underrepresented across many other STEM fields, especially in computer jobs and engineering. Black and Hispanic workers are also underrepresented in the STEM workforce.
• In the International Journal of STEM Education, authors noted how women are significantly underrepresented in STEM occupations. They make up less than a quarter of those working in STEM occupations and for women of color, representation is much lower — Hispanic, Asian and Black women receive less than 5% of STEM bachelor’s degrees in the U.S. Authors also pointed out how people of color overall are underrepresented in U.S.-based STEM leadership positions across industry, academia and the federal workforce.  

These issues are troubling when you consider how it undermines students’ opportunities to pursue high-demand, high-paying roles. Yet, it’s more than that. STEM education is about a teaching philosophy that naturally integrates critical thinking and language skills in a way that enriches any subject. Perhaps you’ve experienced or can imagine an education that integrates problem solving and engineering practices into any subject, where technology is seamlessly integrated throughout. Any subject—art, language, social studies, health—can benefit.  

So when students don’t receive an effective STEM education, they’re not only receiving less instruction in STEM subjects. They miss out on the universal application that high-level skills in STEM subjects can bring.  

How You Can Make a Difference

Take the opportunity to encourage young minds in STEM education. Whether that means volunteering a little bit of your time at a local school or finding age-appropriate STEM literature and activities for your children, you can have an impact.  

You can also consider pursuing a career or enhancing your career as a teacher or leader in STEM education, which represents a major problem right now in education. Researchers in Economic Development Quarterly noted how the current shortage of teachers in the U.S. is “ especially acute ” among STEM educators.  

In just five courses, you can earn an online graduate certificate in STEM education and learn how you can increase STEM literacy through formal and informal learning opportunities across a variety of settings. Or there’s the 100% online M.A. in Education with a Concentration in STEM Education , which helps you to be a leader in STEM education. You’ll be prepared for advancement in roles across public and private schools, community-based organizations, research, nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations.  

UTEP’s programs are focused on preparing today and tomorrow’s educators for working with modern students in multicultural settings who need to find motivation and engagement in their learning. And again, this is especially important. A study in Education Journal found that while students of all races enter into STEM majors at equal rates, minority students leave their major at nearly twice the rate of white students.  

UTEP is one of only 17 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the country to be designated as an R1 top tier research university. Interested in learning more about how you can engage and inspire students in STEM education? You can discuss that and more with a one-on-one consultation with an enrollment counselor.

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STEM Education Master’s Program

Stem education.

Master’s Program

STEM Education Programs

The Master’s degree programs in STEM Education provide a unique experience for students in that it examines STEM education from a research perspective. Students who choose to complete the master’s degree will have the opportunity to engage in research in STEM teacher education and learning. Our faculty are able to provide interesting perspectives on education and are involved in academic research that investigates current issues in STEM education.  

Investigates the nature of STEM interests and interest-driven participation and learning, foundations of cognition in STEM disciplines, and learning out of schools.

Studies engineering and STEM higher education, including faculty, graduate students and undergraduates.

Explores the intersection of the sociopolitical and mathematical lives of children with a focus on identity and learning.

Investigates intersections of race, language, and mathematics through the experiences of Latinx students learning and doing mathematics.

Research explores the intersections of multilingualism, scientific sensemaking, and teacher education, with a specific focus on the ways multilingual students engage in science practices through translanguaging.

Focuses on the ways students learn in science courses using computational modeling.

Engages humanizing research approaches to examine equity-focused PK-16 STEM teaching and learning across urban contexts with a focus on Black girls.

Teaches courses for pre-service in STEM subjects and explores student understanding of mathematical and physical models.

Focuses on the social construction of gender and racial/ethnic inequality in educational opportunities and experiences in STEM fields from a sociological perspective. Methodological expertise in quantitative research methods and analyses of large sca...

Studies the ways culturally and linguistically diverse groups of people use disciplinary the core ideas and practices of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to explain phenomena or to solve problems that are meaningful and consequ...

Teaches preservice K-12 teachers how to teach meaningful STEM content in innovative, student- and community-centered ways.

Dr.Yeh's research examines the intersections of race, language, and disability to provide a more nuanced analysis of the constructions of ability in mathematics classrooms and mathematics education systems. Her scholarship centers on partnerships wit...

Prerequisites for Admission

• Undergraduate degree in a STEM field—or substantial evidence of prior undergraduate STEM coursework as evidenced on transcript.
• Teaching experience is preferred but not required.
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 is a university requirement, although petitions to be admitted with a lower GPA may be submitted by the Graduate Adviser.

Application Guidelines

As a prospective student, you are required to apply first using the state application system,  ApplyTexas . Here, you will input your biographical information, resume/CV, statement of purpose, transcripts and letters of recommendation. We strongly encourage you to start this process well in advance of the deadline to allow us enough time to process your information.

NOTE: Those applying to the STEM Education program should select STEM Education (32800) for your major.

NOTE : Applicants to the STEM GradUTeach program should use code 632805. 

Program Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the U.S.; or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.

A minimum GPA of 3.0, particularly during the last two years of college and in any previous graduate study. The department will consider applications with lower GPAs. If you feel that your grade point averages or test scores are not valid indicators of your ability, please wait till you have submitted your application and  upload a miscellaneous document  explaining your concerns.

Deadline for the regular Master’s program in STEM Education (either thesis or non/thesis option) is December 31 . 

Deadline for the GradUteach program (Master’s program plus preparation for secondary teacher preparation) is June 30 .

Please contact  Stephen Flynn  if you have any questions about these deadlines. 

Application Status

Once all application materials are uploaded and completed, the  Graduate School  will refer your application to the department. This initial review process by the grad school will take about 1 – 2 weeks, so be sure to have everything turned in well in advance of the deadlines. 

After Your Decision

Applicants may be admitted, admitted with conditions, or denied admission.  Learn more on the Graduate School website .

Contact  Stephen Flynn , our departmental Graduate Admissions Coordinator, with any questions regarding C&I or STEM Education admissions. 

Please also see  General Guidelines from the Graduate School .

Master of Arts and Master of Education

M.A. with Thesis

• Intended for students who want to develop their potential as researchers and move into leadership positions in education.
• Requires 9 hours of graduate coursework in a discipline content area, which may be waived for students with a master’s degree in a STEM discipline (e.g., physics or chemistry, not science education).
• Typically take 2 years to complete the degree.
• Not designed for students seeking certification as teachers.

M.A. with No Thesis (Academic Year)

• Intended to be a terminal degree for students who want to develop themselves as teachers or move into leadership positions in teaching or curriculum development.
• Students taking courses during the academic year can complete the master’s degree in two years.

Minimum Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree Plan

• Core courses (15 hours)
• STEM content courses (9 hours)
• Research methodology course (3 hours)
• Supporting courses (3 hours for thesis option or 6 hours for non-thesis option)
• Thesis (6 hours; only for those pursuing thesis option)
• Total of 36 hours for the thesis option; total of 33 hours for the non-thesis option

Core Courses (15 hours)

All master’s students are required to take five core courses.  They must take:

• STM 385 Knowing and Learning in STEM Education
• STM 386 Curriculum History in STEM Education
• STM 390-1 Equity in STEM Education
• STM 390-2 Research on Teaching and Teacher Development in STEM Education
• STM 390T Advanced Topics in STEM Education (titles will vary; consult with your advisor)

STEM Content Courses (9 hours)

The minimal course work in a STEM content area (Engineering, Mathematics or Natural Science) is 9 hours of study. These courses must be taken at the upper-division undergraduate or graduate course level.

Research Methodology Course (3 hours)

One course in research design or specific quantitative or qualitative research methods is required. The course must be approved by the Graduate Advisor to meet this requirement.

Supporting Courses (3 hours for thesis option; 6 hours for non-thesis option)

Students are expected to broaden and deepen their program of work by taking a variety of related coursework consonant with their scholarly interests, in consultation with a graduate advisor. 

Thesis for M.A. Candidates (6 hours)

All master’s students are required to register for at least two semesters of thesis work.

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

In addition to the requirements for the program for Master of Arts with thesis (see above), students must already be certified to teach at the elementary or secondary level.

M.A. in STEM Education, Teaching Track (GradUTeach)

Developed in partnership with the nationally recognized UTeach program, GradUTeach prepares master’s students with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field for secondary teacher certification while earning a master’s degree.

• Intended for students who are seeking certification to teach math or science in high school as part of their graduate education.
• Designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in a STEM (science, engineering, math, etc.) content area
• Applicants must also have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for their upper division coursework
• Takes two years to complete.
• Requires 18 hours in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
• Requires 9-12 hours of coursework in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction focused on teacher education.
• An additional 6 to 9 hours of supporting coursework are taken in the College of Natural Science under advisement by the graduate advisor.

Course Requirements

STEM Core classes: 18 hours

• STM 385 Knowing and Learning
• STM 390 Equity in STEM Education
• STM 390T Research on Teacher/Teacher Ed
• STM 390.4 Equitable and Inclusive Teaching
• STM 695 Class.Interactions/PBI

Courses in the College of Natural Science (6-9 hours)

• Research Methods (Bio 337/382, CHM 368/397C, Phy 341/390)
• Teaching Seminar (UTS 370)
• Additional optional course (with grad advisor approval)

Supporting Courses in the College of Education (9-12 hours)

• EDC 380R: Educational Research and Design
• EDC 651s: Apprentice Teaching
• EDC 398T: Supervised Teaching (optional)

Total: 36 hours

Additional Resources

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At a Glance

Program Starts : Fall

Deadline to Apply : December 31

GradUTeach Deadline to Apply : June 30

Credit Hours Required : M.A. with thesis: 36 hours M.A. : 33 hours M.Ed.: 33 hours

Schedule : Flexible

Program Location : On Campus

GRE Required? No

Program Area Coordinator, Advisor Catherine Riegle-Crumb

Find out information about the admission process and application requirements.

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Educators: Start Early to Keep Students Engaged in STEM

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A majority of students ages 12-18 are interested in careers in science, technology, engineering, or math, finds a 2023 survey sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation. But the survey also found that students, parents, and teachers say schools are not doing a good job preparing kids to pursue careers in those fields.

That is a problem, because recent technological advances—especially in the field of artificial intelligence—are poised to bring big changes to future jobs, particularly in the STEM fields. STEM occupations are projected to grow by almost 11 percent by 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Many schools—at the elementary, middle, and high school levels—are integrating STEM learning into regular classroom instruction in some creative and relevant ways. Many are simultaneously figuring out how to encourage more girls and students of color to pursue studies in STEM areas, showing the kids how their participation could lead to lucrative careers down the road.

For this special report on STEM, the EdWeek Research Center asked this open-ended question: “How do schools get more students interested in STEM in elementary school and then maintain that interest throughout middle school and high school?” The EdWeek Research Center received nearly 800 responses from teachers, principals, and district leaders, and Education Week identified 25 of those responses that represented the major themes.

One big theme that emerged was that schools need to start earlier—in elementary school—and give young kids opportunities to do safe, hands-on science and solve developmentally appropriate, real-world problems. In other words, encourage children to investigate how the world works and how to fix its problems. Challenges around lack of time and resources, standardized testing, and professional development were common.

Following are the 25 responses, in the alphabetical order of the states where the educators work:

1    “We have a vertical plan for K-12, starting with weekly STEM classes in elementary, visiting the STEM festival in the spring, then in middle school hands-on STEM and Project Lead the Way classes with competitions and fairs, and in high school job shadowing and STEM career pathway courses .”

—District-level administrator | Arkansas

2    “ Science is often treated as a secondary subject in elementary schools due to students having deficits in English/language arts and math. We need to prevent that from happening and use science as a gateway to improving student performance in all subjects.”

—Middle school teacher | Science | California

3    “Stop teaching math *problems* and instead teach mathematical *techniques* to answer real-world questions . Do this with a diverse collection of media; yes, word problems but also problems with a picture of a real-life usage of the math problem, videos, in-class experiments, hands-on activities, etc. Use many representations of the underlying *meaning* of the math, not just shuffling digits around a paper.”

—High school teacher | Math/computer science/data science | California

4    “In a Title I school, all the emphasis is on catching students up to read at grade level. Our schools are graded based on standardized-test scores, so our curriculum is narrow and based on testing. The only way we can move toward more STEM is to move away from the focus on standardized testing .”

—Elementary school teacher | Math/computer science/data science | Colorado

5    “We barely have time to teach science.”

—Elementary school teacher | Florida

6    “This has been very difficult to maintain at my middle school. Science is always the last thing on the list, and not much importance is placed on it until 8th grade. This is when students have to take a science test that affects the school grade.”

—Middle school teacher | Science | Florida

7    “We have many elementary, middle, and high schools that are STEM-certified. The school I work at is one of them. We get students interested because we focus on the hands-on approach as well as emphasizing the attitude of not giving up but finding a different solution and trying again and again.”

—Elementary school teacher | Georgia

8    “There should be a program to retain women in STEM classes , as interest tends to drop off after middle school.”

—High school teacher | Math/computer science/data science | Illinois

9    “Students are interested in elementary, but maintaining interest is hard with the current school setup. The entire system would need to change.”

—High school teacher | Bilingual education/English as a second language | Iowa

10    “In order to attract students into STEM, it is important for students to experience ample opportunities to engage in STEM-centered project-based learning at the elementary level and throughout middle and high school. Traditional instruction and assessment do not foster interest in STEM or other 21st-century careers.”

—High school teacher | Fine arts | Kentucky

11    “They could do it by not simply teaching STEM but by teaching why these subjects are important and exploring their methods to developing knowledge. Kind of a zoomed-out explanation of how and why they should learn these subjects .”

—High school teacher | Louisiana

12    “For some of our schools like mine, due to the loss of Title I funding, we will no longer offer a full STEM class to all or any students for 2025-26. We try to integrate STEM into the general math, science, social studies, and language arts curricula.”

—Elementary school principal | Maryland

13    “They should include more labs and experiments , but many districts, like mine, now seem to rely on videos. This doesn't do much to stoke students’ interest in STEM. Also, we have a lack of teachers in areas of technology and computer science, which are the scientific fields many students are interested in.”

—High school teacher | Bilingual education/English as a second language | Massachusetts

14    “If you are integrating hands-on, project-based learning in elementary school, the curiosity will be there. My school has a dedicated class in middle school for STEM, which I teach, and over the course of a semester, we cover multiple areas of project-based learning that integrates science, math, technology, engineering, and design. The interest in that type of class was high enough that I was asked to teach a high school class based on hands-on learning, and it has become a forensic science class that everyone wants to take!”

—Middle school teacher | Missouri

15    “Our district needs to invest in science curriculum that interests students and gets them curious. Currently, 95 percent of our students say they hate science.”

—Middle school teacher | Math/computer science/data science | New Hampshire

16    “Introduce science early and have young students focus on experimentation. Ask questions , try to come up with ways to discover the answer. Seeing science as a tool and not just another subject can be inspiring and engaging.”

—High school teacher | Science | New York

17    “Stronger elementary programs .”

—District superintendent | New York

18    “There needs to be a focus on STEM curriculum in elementary. Testing needs to change. It impedes the problem-based learning that many STEM curricula utilize.”

—Elementary school teacher | Bilingual education/English as a second language | Ohio

19    “Prioritize STEM professional development for elementary and middle school teachers. Provide paid time for STEM teachers across the K-12 spectrum to meet and discuss/plan. Adopt and provide training for research-based methods of teaching STEM subjects (modeling, argument-driven inquiry, etc.).”

—High school teacher | Science | Ohio

20    “ Many STEM classes are offered after school . This is difficult for students who do not have any other transportation besides school buses.”

—Middle school teacher | English-language arts/literacy/reading | Oklahoma

21    “We have a solid K-5 STEM program that reaches every student. At the middle school level, we have STEM classes that reach about 66 percent of the students in 6th and 7th grade and we have a coding elective at the 8th grade level. Our high school is in the process of developing a solid STEM program.”

—Elementary school teacher | Pennsylvania

22    “We are a STEM-certified school and district. Integration of STEM education is how we have successfully built and maintained interest. Students in our district can fly a plane through our aeronautics program , before they can drive a car. There are so many STEM opportunities here!”

—Elementary school principal | Tennessee

23    “We have STEM as a special rotation, so students get STEM class every five days. Last year, we also had a bimonthly STEM club, which was well attended. Finally, we have a family STEM night each school year, and that is a big hit.”

—Elementary school teacher | Utah

24    “Raise teacher pay so that people with STEM skills are more willing to teach instead of making significantly more in the private sector.”

—High school teacher | Math/computer science/data science | Virginia

25    “ Show a passion for these subjects while teaching them and help students see the importance of learning these subjects, beyond the 'you will need this later.'”

—Elementary school teacher | Math/computer science/data science | Washington

Coverage of problem solving and student motivation is supported in part by a grant from The Lemelson Foundation, at www.lemelson.org . Education Week retains sole editorial control over the content of this coverage.

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What is a STEM Degree: Courses List, Top Colleges & STEM Education

• Updated On April 24, 2024
• Published In Colleges 🎓

Do you also wonder what is a STEM degree? Fret not, as we’re here to unravel the acronym for you and shed light on why it’s emerging as one of the most widely discussed subject areas in higher education.

Table of Contents

So, what is a STEM degree?

“A STEM degree is a college degree in Science , Technology , Engineering , and Mathematics . STEM degrees allow students to learn about various scientific and technological concepts that can be applied in real-world scenarios. 

According to the Indian Express, around 1.3 million Indian students were pursuing STEM courses Abroad in 2023 , with Andhra Pradesh /Telangana, Punjab, and Maharashtra being the top Indian states for outgoing students. 

Employers highly seek these degrees due to the growing demand for skilled professionals who can adapt to the constantly changing technological landscape. Pursuing a STEM degree can provide individuals with a strong foundation in problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills that can be applied to various fields.

Here is a quick overview of the blog’s key highlights and unlock valuable information about STEM education.

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What are the STEM Courses?

STEM degree courses refer to educational programs that focus on the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These courses aim to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of these fields, enabling them to apply their knowledge to real-world problems and develop analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills. 

The top 5 STEM Courses to Study Abroad are:

• Engineering Management
• Computer Science
• Computer Engineering
• Information Technology
• Aerospace Engineering

In recent years, STEM courses have become popular as they prepare students for various high-paying and in-demand careers. 

Let’s look at some of the most popular STEM courses in each field.

These are just a few examples of the many STEM courses available to Indian students Abroad. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a research, development, or management career, various STEM courses are right for you.

Start your journey with the best study abroad experts in India

Top Colleges To Study STEM Courses Abroad

Studying STEM courses abroad can be a great way to gain knowledge and experience in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It can allow you to learn from experts, collaborate with experts worldwide, and access the latest research and technology.

If you’re planning to pursue a STEM degree abroad, you might be thinking about which colleges are the best for your education and career goals. To help you with your research, we have compiled a list of the top colleges where you can study STEM courses abroad . 

Here is a STEM Degree list of the top 10 colleges to study abroad. 

These colleges are known for their excellent faculty, research facilities, and curriculum in STEM fields. They offer various courses and degree programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.

What is A STEM Degree: Eligibility Requirements 

To study STEM courses, there are specific eligibility requirements that students need to meet. These requirements may vary from college to college.

Let’s look at these requirements to understand them in more detail. 

Academic Background

To pursue STEM courses, students should have a strong academic background in science and mathematics. This means they should have completed high school with good marks in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and Computer Science. 

Students with a background in these subjects are better equipped to handle the rigorous coursework of STEM courses.

English Language Proficiency

Most STEM courses are taught in English, and Indian students must display English language proficiency by taking standardised tests such as the TOEFL or IELTS . The minimum score requirement for IELTS and TOEFL is 6.0 and 80 , respectively. So, students should check the specific requirements of the college they are applying to. 

What is The STEM Degree Minimum Academic Requirements

Subject-wise eligibility requirements to pursue a bachelors course in STEM are as follows:

• Science: Complete your 10+2 education in PCB or PCM
• Technology: Complete 10+2 education in PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths)
• Engineering: Complete 10+2 education in PCM
• Mathematics: Complete 10+2 education in PCM

Most of the Abroad Universities accept more than or a minimum 60% score of 12th grade.

To start a STEM education for master’s, you’ll need certain minimal academic qualifications:

• Science: Complete your 10+2 education and then pursue a 3-year science bachelor’s course for postgraduate STEM programs.
• Technology: After finishing your 10+2 , opt for a 4 -year bachelor’s course in a technology-related field.
• Engineering: Following your 10+2 , enrol in a 4 -year bachelor’s program in diverse engineering specialisations.
• Mathematics: Achieve your 10+2 qualification and then undertake a 3 -year bachelor’s course focused on mathematics.

The minimum bachelor’s score required to pursue a master’s degree in STEM courses abroad would be 60% . If your CGPA score is more than 60% , then you may be eligible to pursue STEM education abroad.                                               

Aptitude Test Score

Some colleges require students to take aptitude tests such as the SAT or ACT for UG programs and the GRE or GMAT for PG courses. These tests measure students’ knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and reading. 

Visas and Permits

Indian students who wish to study STEM courses abroad must obtain the necessary visas and permits. This may include a student visa, which allows students to study in the country for a specific period, and work permits, which allow students to work part-time while studying. 

Work Experience

Some STEM courses require students to have relevant work experience in the field they wish to study. For example, a student who wishes to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering may be required to have some experience working with machines or mechanical systems. Students should check the specific work experience requirements of the college and the course they wish to apply.

Meeting the eligibility requirements to study STEM courses abroad requires careful planning, preparation, and research. Students should check the specific requirements of the college and the course they wish to apply to and ensure that they have met all the necessary criteria before submitting their application. 

Scholarships For Indian Students Pursuing STEM Education Abroad:

Indian students planning to pursue a STEM degree abroad may be wondering about the financial support available to them. Fortunately, there are various scholarships available for Indian students to help them fund their education and achieve their academic goals. 

Here are some of the scholarships that you can apply for:

• Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships : This scholarship is available to Indian students who want to pursue a master’s degree in STEM fields in the USA . 
• Inlaks Scholarships : The Inlaks Scholarships are available to Indian students who want to pursue a master’s degree in STEM fields in the USA, UK , or Europe. 
• Commonwealth Scholarships : The Commonwealth Scholarships are available to Indian students who want to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in STEM fields in the UK. 
• DAAD Scholarships : The DAAD Scholarships are available to Indian students who want to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in STEM fields in Germany. 
• Erasmus Mundus Scholarships : The Erasmus Mundus Scholarships are available to Indian students who want to pursue a master’s degree in STEM fields in Europe. 

Here are the benefits of these scholarships for STEM courses Abroad:

• Covers Tuition Fees
• Living Costs
• Travel Expenses
• Health insurance
• Monthly Stipend

Demanding Jobs After Completing STEM Education Abroad

Pursuing a STEM degree abroad can lead to numerous high-paying job opportunities for Indian students. According to a report by the UK government, the demand for STEM skills in the country will continue to grow, with an estimated 2.3 million new job openings in the next decade. 

This makes the UK an attractive destination for Indian students looking to build careers in STEM fields. 

Here are the demanding jobs for Indian students after completing STEM education abroad:

Top Recruiters in Abroad After Pursuing STEM Courses

After pursuing a STEM degree abroad, Indian students can access various job opportunities across various industries. The demand for skilled professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is increasing globally, and many top companies are always looking for talented graduates. 

Here is a list of the top 10 recruiters abroad for Indian students after pursuing STEM courses:

Future Prospects after Pursuing STEM Degree Courses Abroad

Pursuing a STEM degree abroad can open up many opportunities for Indian students. With the increasing demand for skilled professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, various career prospects and growth opportunities are available.

Here are some future prospects for Indian students after pursuing STEM degree courses abroad:

Global Job Opportunities:

Pursuing a STEM degree abroad widens your job possibilities internationally. For instance, the demand for IT professionals is soaring globally, with an estimated 531,200 new jobs projected in the UK alone by 2030 .

Higher Earning Potential:

STEM graduates often enjoy higher salaries. On average, a graduate in engineering or technology in the UK earns around INR 28L to INR 31L per annum at the start of their career, with ample opportunities for salary growth.

Research and Development Roles:

STEM opens doors to research and development (R&D) positions. Countries like Germany invest significantly in R&D, with the annual expenditure reaching around €104 billion . Pursuing a STEM career abroad provides access to such innovative environments.

Entrepreneurial Experiences:

Many STEM graduates embark on entrepreneurship. In the USA, over 40% of Fortune 500 CEOs hold engineering degrees, showcasing the potential for STEM graduates to lead successful businesses.

Global Tech Hubs:

Studying STEM abroad places you amid global tech hubs. For instance, Silicon Valley in the USA is famous for technological innovation, offering outstanding networking opportunities and exposure to cutting-edge developments.

Final Thoughts

Pursuing a STEM education abroad can be an excellent opportunity for Indian students to gain valuable knowledge and experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With the growing demand for skilled professionals in these fields, obtaining a STEM degree can provide numerous high-paying job opportunities.

The top colleges where you can study STEM courses abroad offer world-class faculty, research facilities, and curricula in STEM fields. Additionally, studying abroad can help students gain a global perspective, improve their language skills, and enhance their cultural awareness, which can benefit their future careers. 

Therefore, if you are an Indian student interested in pursuing a STEM education, studying abroad can be a great way to achieve your academic and career goals.

Leap Scholar is proud to have a highly qualified team of counsellors with 50+ years of combined experience in helping students study abroad . Talk to us and find out which country is ideal for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. what is a stem degree.

A. A STEM degree is an academic qualification in Science , Technology , Engineering , and Mathematics . It is designed for students to provide a comprehensive understanding of these subjects and equip them with critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills that can be applied to various industries. Employers highly seek STEM degrees due to the growing demand for skilled professionals.

Q. What is the full form of STEM Education?

A. STEM Education stands for Science , Technology , Engineering , and Mathematics Education . This type of college degree focuses on these subjects and aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of them. STEM Education is becoming increasingly popular due to the growing demand for skilled professionals. 

Q. Which countries are best for Indian students to pursue STEM courses?

A. Several countries offer great opportunities for Indian students to pursue STEM courses. Here are some of the best countries: – United States – United Kingdom – Canada – Australia – Germany These countries are known for their excellent universities, research facilities, and industry partnerships in STEM fields. 

Q. Which colleges are best for Indian students to pursue STEM courses?

A. There are many colleges abroad that offer excellent STEM courses for Indian students. Some of the top colleges to study STEM courses abroad are: -Stanford University -MIT -University of Cambridge -University of Oxford -McGill University -University of Waterloo -University of Sydney -Technical University of Munich

Q. What are STEM courses available for Indian students abroad?

A. STEM courses refer to educational programs focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. There are several STEM courses available to Indian students Abroad, and some of the most popular ones are: – Biology – Chemistry – Physics – Environmental Science – Astronomy – Computer Science

Q. Is an MBA a STEM Education Degree?

A. MBA, which stands for Master of Business Administration , is not a STEM education degree. It is a graduate degree that focuses on business management and administration. While MBA programs may include technology and data analysis courses, they do not come under STEM education.

Q. What are the benefits of pursuing STEM education Abroad for Indian students?

A. Here are some benefits of pursuing a STEM education Abroad for Indian students in bullet points: – Access to world-class educational institutions with modern facilities and highly experienced faculty. – Exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives that can broaden students’ horizons and help them develop a global mindset. – Enhance employability and career prospects, not only in India but also globally. – Opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects and gain hands-on experience in the field.

Q. Can Indian students pursue STEM education Abroad?

A. Yes, Indian students can pursue STEM education abroad . Many Indian students opt for STEM courses abroad as it enables them to learn from experts, collaborate with experts globally, and access the latest research and technology. 

Q. What are the STEM courses in India compared to those abroad?

A. STEM courses in India and abroad are similar in subject areas, including Science , Technology , Engineering , and Mathematics . However, studying abroad can offer more opportunities to learn from experts, access the latest technology and research, and collaborate with students from around the world. 

Q. Are there scholarships available for STEM education Abroad?

A. Yes, various scholarships are available for Indian students who wish to pursue STEM education abroad. These scholarships are designed to support students with financial aid, tuition fee waivers, and other benefits that can help them achieve their academic and career goals. Some popular STEM scholarships include the following: – Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships – Tata Scholarship at Cornell University – Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan.  

Q. Is it beneficial for Indian students to pursue STEM education Abroad?

A. Yes, pursuing a STEM education abroad can be highly beneficial for Indian students. It can give them access to top-notch faculty, research facilities, and global exposure. Additionally, it can prepare them for various high-paying and in-demand careers.

Q. What are the demanding jobs after pursuing STEM education Abroad?

A. After pursuing STEM education abroad, some of the demanding jobs for Indian students are: – Software Developer – Data Analyst – Electrical Engineer – Aerospace Engineer – Medical Scientist – Biotechnologist These jobs are in high demand and offer competitive salaries. Pursuing a STEM degree can provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in these fields.

Q. What is STEM Course meaning?

A. STEM courses are Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It refers to academic disciplines that focus on these four areas. STEM courses are designed to provide students with a strong foundation in these subjects, which are essential for many careers in today’s digital age. STEM courses are in high demand as they offer students long-term career prospects, including high-paying jobs in various industries.

Saket Kohli

An International Higher Ed professional with 7+ years of experience studying, working, and living across three geographies, currently on a mission to share his journey as an International Student.

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What is STEM: C...

What is STEM: Courses List, Eligibility & Admission Requirements

If you read newspapers, you must have heard the term ‘STEM’ a lot - either the governments are trying to build a strong STEM architecture or research universities are asking for STEM students to come aboard! So, what really is STEM? Is it something secret like the Illuminati that needs more people? 🤔 Or is it Hogwarts’s rival who is inviting fellow students to join the magical school? 🪄

So, what is STEM? Although you might know STEM, what it stands for is Science , Technology , Engineering , and Mathematics . In the Indian education system, if you choose the Science stream regardless of biology or mathematics, it is possible that you are going for a career in STEM. 

And just like the combination of 4 major streams, there are endless possibilities for the courses and universities you can pursue - so many that it might be a little overwhelming. With so many choices, matching the best options for you to your profile becomes a task. And the only task you should focus on during your study abroad journey is staying focused and determined. What about the rest? Let the pros handle it. 😉

With Yocket Premium, you get a dedicated counsellor providing you guidance with not only university shortlisting or profile building, but support at every step of the process! Give your studying abroad dream the best shot it deserves.

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With Yocket Premium you get the best shot. But if you are here, you will get all the information you want! Let’s find out what a life and career in STEM looks like.

What is STEM?

So answering the highly anticipated question- ”What is STEM education?”

The term “STEM” was coined by Judith Ramaley , when she was an assistant director at the National Science Fund. The term was coined while designing education policies to improve competitiveness in science and technology development. 

Today, the top STEM universities like MIT and Carnegie Mellon University use STEM as a definition for their pedagogy to produce and train some of the best physicists, engineers and mathematicians in the world.

What are STEM Courses?

The STEM courses comprise primarily either of these four STEM subjects: 

This is composed of natural sciences like biology and chemistry and formal sciences like mathematics and statistics.

This defines the technical systems of our era like radar, Wi-Fi etc.

Engineering

Although regarded as one of the biggest hobbies in India, engineering is one of the most dynamic and important parts of STEM research and studies.

Mathematics

Mathematics as a subject goes hand in hand with all other above-mentioned subjects and plays a key role in all of the STEM courses. 

Some popular STEM courses have been listed below: 

• Aerospace engineering
• Astronomy 
• Biochemistry 
• Biology 
• Chemical engineering
• Civil engineering
• Electrical engineering 
• Physics 
• Statistics 
• Mathematics 

Suggested: Top Study Abroad Course Guides  

It is important to note that STEM goes deep into the world of technology. This means that STEM does not include Social Sciences subjects like Psychology and History, which are rather clubbed into Humanities and Arts - or business programs. 

And if you are trying to figure out if pursuing STEM ahead is the best fit for you, watch our YouTube video to figure out the best for you - just what Yocket wants for you. 🙂

Eligibility and Requirements to Study STEM Courses  

What does it take to study STEM courses abroad at the best universities across the globe? Except for the right fit, interest in the field, and an attraction to the career after graduating, here are a few things to keep in mind while applying to universities for STEM courses:

• English language proficiency scores 
• Aptitude test scores 
• Minimum academic requirements 
• Work experience 

English Language Proficiency Scores 

To be eligible for a STEM degree, English language proficiency is the most basic requirement. The minimum score requirement for IELTS and TOEFL is 6.0 and 80 respectively. Definitely, these requirements vary for universities and even the courses you wish to pursue.

Aptitude Test Scores 

Another basic requirement for getting admitted into a STEM program is the SAT, ACT scores when pursuing UG programs, and GRE, and GMAT when pursuing PG programs. Again, a few of these aptitude tests may not be required - the final call is taken by the university, to which you want admission.

Minimum Academic Requirements 

The minimum academic requirements to pursue a STEM degree are as follows: 

• Science: 10+2 along with a 3-year bachelors course in Science (for PG STEM courses)
• Technology: 10+2 along with a 4-year technology related bachelors course 
• Engineering: 10+2 along with a 4-year bachelors course in various engineering specialisations 
• Mathematics: 10+2 along with a 3-year mathematics related bachelors course

Work Experience 

For some universities, work experience is an important STEM eligibility requirement for courses about masters in the STEM field. The minimum work experience required usually spans 1-2 years according to various programs.

Data Reveals STEM Courses Popular among Foreign Scholars in the US! 

With so many requirements to fulfil alone, other parts of the process may get overlooked which may affect your application. With Yocket Premium , your application gets stronger with a dedicated counsellor providing you with end-to-end guidance. 

Make your dream university a reality with Yocket Premium.

Tap to know more about Yocket Premium today!

Top Countries and Colleges to Study STEM Courses 

Career options, Education Quality, Research Facilities, and a lot more - these factors determine whether the country you choose is the best for pursuing your STEM course or not. And keeping that in mind, some of the top countries and colleges to study STEM courses are:

• Canada 
• Australia 
• Switzerland 
• Germany 
• Ireland 
• Spain 

STEM courses in American (the US) universities .  

And in these top spots, some of the most famous universities offering the best STEM degree programs in the world are: 

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
• Stanford University 
• Carnegie Mellon University 
• University of Oxford 
• Imperial College London 
• University of Toronto 
• University of Waterloo 
• Australian National University 
• Technical University Munich  

Suggested: The UConn STEM Scholarship

From the Desk of Yocket

A STEM education will open gateways for you if you’re someone interested in subjects like science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is not only the future, STEM is the present dictating the future - with its presence in every field now, following the technological evolution and expansion! Moreover, STEM graduates are offered some of the highest-paying jobs in the world, with a great ROI. 

Want to know which are these jobs in STEM? Here’s a detailed look into the top 25 highest-paying STEM jobs !

Regardless of your gender, STEM has now become a lot more inclusive - crediting your merits before anything else. And with supportive hiring and career programs, organisations are creating a level playing field for all in STEM.

An industry that is creating the present, dictating the future, becoming inclusive of differences, and crediting merit - STEM has to be the leading career path for international students across the globe.

Frequently Asked Questions about STEM 

What is the full form of STEM?

The full form of STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

What is a STEM degree?

A STEM degree is any degree in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

What is STEM education?

STEM education is any education you get from the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

What is a popular STEM course list?

Some of the most popular STEM courses are: Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Information Science, Computer Science, Biotechnology, Civil Engineering, Physics, Biochemistry … and a lot more!

Why is STEM being promoted so much?

The reason is quite simple: unlike law school programs or business school programs, you can start working in STEM research immediately after your undergraduate school also. Governments and private companies are investing money worth private jets in STEM research like cancer research, nuclear energy and the aerospace industry. So, having a STEM job is a shortcut to being a Crazy-Rich Asian!

Can I go to a business school and still get a STEM job? So why should I go for a STEM education?

In 1965, Dr Richard Feynman won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work in quantum electrodynamics. Much to everyone’s surprise, he didn't want it. He stated the reason as “I have already got the prize: the prize is the pleasure of finding things out, the kick in the discovery, the observation that other people use it. Those are the real things.”

Does the US allow international students to be funded as STEM students?

Yes! In fact, most of the funding for research and education in the US is devoted to STEM research. This covers all forms: undergraduate, graduate and doctoral. The US government and several private entities fund millions of dollars to international students to study and perform STEM research.

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SCIENCE & ENGINEERING INDICATORS

The stem labor force: scientists, engineers, and skilled technical workers.

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U.S. STEM Workforce: Size, Growth, and Employment

Size, growth, and employment.

Individuals in the STEM workforce fuel the nation’s innovative capacity through their work in technologically advanced activities and make important contributions to improving the nation’s living standards, economic growth, and global competitiveness. In 2021, 24% of the U.S. workforce worked in STEM occupations (36.8 million workers), of which more than half (52%) did not have a bachelor’s degree and therefore were classified as the STW. About 63% of the STW worked in STEM middle-skill occupations, and 26% worked in S&E-related occupations. Most of the workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher (90%) worked in S&E or S&E-related occupations ( Figure LBR-1 ).

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U.S. workforce, by STEM occupation group and education level: 2021

S&E = science and engineering; STEM = science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Data include the employed, civilian, non-institutionalized population ages 16–75 and exclude those currently enrolled in primary or secondary school. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 1,000.

Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), 2021, 1-Year Public-Use File, data as of 25 October 2022.

Science and Engineering Indicators

Over the last decade, workers in STEM occupations increased in both number and percentage of the total civilian workforce ( Figure LBR-2 ; Table SLBR-2 ). Between 2011 and 2021, STEM workers increased from 22% to 24% (corresponding to 7.1 million workers) of the U.S. civilian workforce. By educational attainment, the STEM workforce with a bachelor’s degree or higher increased more than the STW. Among workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher, the percentage of STEM workers increased from 27% to 30%, corresponding to 5.7 million workers. The percentage of the STW (again, defined as those in STEM occupations without a bachelor’s degree) increased from 19% to 21% (corresponding to 1.4 million workers).

Change in the percentage of STEM workers, by educational attainment: 2011 and 2021

STEM = science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; STW = skilled technical workforce.

Data include the employed, civilian, non-institutionalized population ages 16–75 and exclude those currently enrolled in primary or secondary school. Coding of occupations into STEM categories reflects changes to American Community Survey (ACS) occupation codes following the 2018 update to the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) implemented by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data from 2011 use occupations from the 2010 occupation list, while data from 2021 use occupations from the 2018 occupation list.

Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), 1-Year Public-Use File, 2021, data as of 25 October 2022.

Increased employment in the STEM workforce was not equally distributed among the different categories of STEM occupations. The percentage of all workers in S&E occupations grew in the last decade from 4% to 6%. Among workers without a bachelor’s degree or higher, the percentage in S&E occupations increased by 44% from 1.6% in 2011 to 2.3% in 2021. The percentage of workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher in S&E occupations increased from 10% to 12%. The percentage of all workers in S&E-related occupations also increased over the last 10 years (an increase of 13% from 7.8% to 8.9%), though less than the percent increase among S&E occupations, while the percentage of all workers in STEM middle-skill decreased slightly between 2011 and 2021.

While this report presents data on the STEM workforce from previous years, the sidebar Projected Growth of Employment in STEM Occupations provides an overview of forecasted growth in STEM occupations over the next 10 years using data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Projected Growth of Employment in STEM Occupations

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections for 2022–32 (BLS 2022 Employment Projections), employment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations * is expected to grow faster than in non-STEM occupations (7% vs. 2%) ( Figure LBR-A ). † While STEM middle-skill occupations are projected to have the largest number of STEM workers ( Table SLBR-A ), the fastest growth is expected among S&E occupations (12%), followed by S&E-related occupations (9%).

Expected growth among STEM occupations: 2022–32

Estimates of current and projected employment for 2022–32 are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) National Employment Matrix; estimates in the matrix are developed using data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program and the Current Population Survey (CPS). Together, these sources cover paid workers and self-employed workers in all industries, agriculture, and private households. Because data are derived from multiple sources, they can often differ from employment data provided by OEWS, CPS, or other employment surveys alone. BLS does not make projections for S&E occupations as a group, nor does it do so for some of the S&E and S&E-related occupational categories as defined by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES); numbers in the figure are based on the sum of BLS projections for occupations that NCSES includes in the respective categories. The STEM classifications used here differ slightly from those used in the ACS due to additional occupation detail in the projections tabulations. A crosswalk will be provided upon request.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, special tabulations (2022) of the 2022–32 Employment Projections .

There are several ways to identify occupations with the greatest opportunity for employment in the next decade, such as by examining those with the fastest employment growth or those with the greatest expected job openings. The STEM occupations with the fastest expected growth were wind turbine service technicians (expected to grow 45% to 16,000 workers), nurse practitioners (expected to grow 45% to 385,000 workers), and data scientists (expected to grow 35% to 228,000 workers) (BLS 2022a, Table 1.3 ). In comparison, those occupations with the highest average job openings per year were registered nurses (193,000 openings), general maintenance and repair workers (152,000 openings), and software developers (136,000 openings) (BLS 2022a, Table 1.10 ).

The BLS projections also provide typical education requirements for these expected growth areas as well as related work experience or on-the-job training. While the majority of occupations with the greatest growth require at least a bachelor’s degree, there are several that typically require less than a bachelor’s degree, including wind turbine service technicians, solar photovoltaic installers, and computer numerically controlled tool programmers (BLS 2022a, Table 1.7 , Table 5.4 ). All of these occupations are considered STEM middle-skill occupations. In contrast to projected growth, the STEM occupations with the fastest projected employment declines over the next decade were watch and clock repairers (30% decline to 1,000 workers) and refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons (21% decline to about 500 workers) (BLS 2022a, Table 1.5 ).

Job openings often result from a combination of factors, such as occupational growth (or increased demand for a particular job) and the replacement of workers leaving an occupation, either for retirement or a different job. About 62% of the registered nurses who leave their jobs, for example, are expected to also leave the labor force, while 32% of software developers who leave their jobs are expected to leave the labor force (BLS 2022a, Table  1.10 ). BLS publishes projected job openings by expected reason for job separation. The STEM occupations with the greatest percentage of workers leaving the labor force include acupuncturists, radiologists, and optometrists, while the STEM occupations with the greatest percentage of workers leaving for other occupations include atmospheric and space scientists, food scientists and technologists, and nuclear technicians (BLS 2022a, Table 1.10 ).

The BLS employment projections are developed using historical data and cover the 2022–32 period. The projections are long-term and intended to capture structural change in the economy, not cyclical fluctuations such as the impact of the recession that began in February 2020. Besides the immediate recessionary impact, the pandemic may have caused structural changes to the economy that would not be captured here. For more information on the BLS labor projections, see https://www.bls.gov/emp/data/occupational-data.htm .

* The STEM coding used for the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics projections differs slightly from the occupations listed in Table SLBR-1 due to additional granularity of occupations available in the projections. Details will be provided upon request.

† BLS does not produce standard errors for projections, so statistical significance testing cannot be done for the numbers in this sidebar. All numbers in this sidebar are rounded to the nearest thousand.

Employment Rate and Labor Force Participation of STEM versus Non-STEM

Labor force statistics for people associated with occupations can provide insights into a group’s compared experiences with the labor market. ​ To calculate employment rates and labor force participation of STEM workers, workers are identified based on the occupation they currently hold or on the occupation they previously held if they are not currently working. The employment rate of an occupation or a group of occupations is the measure of employed adults among all adults associated with an occupation—including both those who are not currently working (but have occupation information for their last held job) and those who have a job. ​ Employment rates are defined as a measure of the extent to which people available to work are being used. Because this thematic report is looking at occupation groups, the employment rate is for those with a current occupation or an occupation in the last 5 years. Note that the population associated with occupations is smaller than those who may be available to work, but may not have associated occupations, such as those individuals entering the labor force for the first time. The category of “those not currently working” is comprised of two groups: individuals who do not have a job and are looking for work ( the unemployed ), as well as those who are not looking for work ( those not in the labor force ). The unemployment rate is the percentage of people who are unemployed among only those who are in the labor force (the employed and unemployed). Unemployment rate tables can be found in Table SLBR-3 and Table SLBR-4 .

In 2021, people associated with a STEM occupation had a higher employment rate (86%) than those associated with non-STEM occupations (79%) ( Table SLBR-5 ). These rates have been relatively stable over the last 5 years, despite overall employment declines during the 2020 recession. Between 2019 and 2021, people associated with non-STEM occupations experienced a larger decrease in their employment rates (from 83% to 79%) than those associated with STEM occupations (from 88% to 86%). This was primarily due to larger proportions of people associated with non-STEM occupations either leaving the labor force or being unable to find work in 2021. Among the types of STEM occupations, people associated with S&E occupations had the highest employment rate (89%) in 2021, followed by people associated with S&E-related occupations (87%).

While overall employment rates for people associated with STEM occupations had relatively low changes between 2016 and 2021, there was variation by different types of STEM occupations ( Table SLBR-6 ). People associated with all three STEM groups had consistently higher employment rates than those associated with non-STEM occupations during this period. People associated with S&E occupations had the highest employment rates , followed by those associated with S&E-related occupations. By educational attainment, people associated with S&E and S&E-related occupations with a bachelor’s degree or higher had the highest employment rates over the period ( Figure LBR-3 ; Table SLBR-6 ). In addition, people associated with S&E and S&E-related occupations in the STW, as well as all people associated with STEM middle-skill occupations, had about the same employment rates as people associated with non-STEM occupations with a bachelor’s degree or higher. This suggests that STW occupations provide greater employment opportunities for people without a bachelor’s degree than non-STEM occupations.

Employment rate in each workforce, by educational attainment: 2011–19, 2021

Data include the civilian, non-institutionalized population ages 16–75 and exclude those with military occupations, those missing occupation data or who have not worked in the last 5 years, and those currently enrolled in primary or secondary school. Coding of occupations into STEM categories reflects changes to American Community Survey (ACS) occupation codes following the 2018 update to the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) implemented by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data from 2011 through 2017 use occupations from the 2010 occupation list, while data from 2018 through 2021 use occupations from the 2018 occupation list. Data for 2020 are not available due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ACS data collection for the survey year. Additional information is available at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/data/experimental-data/2020-1-year-pums.html .

Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), 1-Year Public-Use File, 2011–19, 2021, data as of 25 October 2022.

Analyzing data between 2019 and 2021 (the most recent year available) can suggest how people associated with STEM occupations were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, people associated with S&E occupations experienced the smallest decline in employment rate (0.4 percentage points, from 90% to 89%), primarily due to increases in the percentage unemployed over the same period. People associated with S&E-related occupations had a moderate drop in employment rates (1.4 percentage points), decreasing to 87%. Among people associated with S&E-related occupations, those in the STW had the largest drop in employment (2.0 percentage points, from 86% to 84%), which declined about as much as people associated with non-STEM occupations with a bachelor’s degree or higher (2.2 percentage points, from 87% to 84%). People associated with STEM middle-skill occupations had the greatest employment decrease among the STEM occupation groups (3.5 percentage points, from 86% to 83%) due to relatively equal portions of people leaving the labor force and being unable to find work. There was no significant difference between the employment declines of having a bachelor’s degree or higher or not ( Table SLBR-6 ).

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Hispanic Serving Institutions: Equitable Transformation in STEM Education

View guidelines, important information for proposers.

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) are an important component of the nation’s higher education ecosystem and play a critical role in realizing the National Science Board Vision Report for a more diverse and capable science and engineering workforce.  Aligned with this vision and the NSF Strategic Plan 2022 -2026 the goals of the NSF HSI Program are to:

1.     Enhance the quality of undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at HSIs.

2.     Increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of students pursuing associate’s or baccalaureate degrees in STEM at HSIs.

Meeting these goals requires institutions to understand and embrace their students’ strengths, challenges, identities and lived experiences.  This can happen in many ways and across many areas of an institution. As such, the IUSE: HSI program provides multiple opportunities to support an institution’s goal to become more student centered, including the  Equitable Transformation in STEM Education (ETSE ) competition.   This competition includes the following tracks:

·       Departmental/Division Transformation Track (DDTT) - New

·       Institutional Transformation Track (ITT)

·       Emerging Faculty Research Track (EFRT) - New

·       HSI Program Resource Hubs (Hubs)

This solicitation will also accept conference proposals and planning proposals, as defined by the PAPPG .

The ETSE competition focuses on (1) institutional transformation projects that support HSIs in their effort to achieve equity in STEM education, and (2) the infrastructure—the HSI-Net network of resource hubs—which supports the overall program goals.

Institutions are encouraged to consider how their HSI designation, and their organizational mission align to better support STEM success of all students. The ETSE competition welcomes proposals that look to implement and evaluate promising practices and/or conduct research related to broadening participation or improving recruitment, retention, graduation, and other successful outcomes in STEM undergraduate education.

The ETSE solicitation supports projects designed to catalyze change and help HSIs meet students where they are, accounting for their assets and the challenges they may face. Identities and experiences are not determined solely by membership in a single monolithic population of students (e.g., Hispanic, first-generation, commuter, etc.). Consequently, institutions are expected to use institutional data to identify equity gaps, identify areas of need, and unpack the factors that shape students’ individual identities and shared experiences.  The perspectives gained from this data should be central to the design of the proposed project. 

Please see below for specific information about each track. While proposals are focused on mechanisms for transforming undergraduate STEM education, projects should also consider student voices and include mechanisms to aggregate and analyze existing student feedback and collect quantitative and qualitative student data throughout the life of the proposed project.

Program contacts

Awards made through this program, organization(s).

• Directorate for STEM Education (EDU)
• Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EDU/EES)
• Division of Undergraduate Education (EDU/DUE)

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