Idaho Branching Out with Access to STEM

By Allison R. Stormo

As the nation is recovering from the worst economic downturn in 75 years and doubledigit unemployment rates, some industries are struggling to find enough workers to fill job openings. Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields such as mining and advanced manufacturing continue to see a lack of qualified employees.

“The industry partners are saying ‘We can’t get and keep employees.’ ” said Melinda Hamilton, University of Idaho’s director of STEM Initiatives, which is a position supported by U-Idaho’s college deans under the guidance of Cori Mantle-Bromley, dean of the College of Education.

While there are nearly four people seeking jobs for every opening in non-STEM fields in Idaho, there are about 2½ STEM jobs for every unemployed person, according to Change the Equation, which is a nonprofit initiative to improve the quality of STEM education.

“Students are coming out of high school ill prepared or not interested in STEM, and end up not going into the field,” Hamilton said.

However, most jobs require STEM literacy if not capability, she said. Competency is needed for economic viability, not only within Idaho, but nationally and globally.

The concern with a STEM shortage has reached national levels, has drawn attention from lawmakers and the president. In summer 2012, President Obama proposed the creation of a STEM Master Teacher Corps — a networked community of talented educators to serve as a national resource committed to advancing STEM teaching and learning. The Senate bill that includes the Teacher Corps, Strengthen Our Schools and Students Act, was introduced to a congressional committee in late January and still remains in the Committee of Health, Education, Labor and Pensions at press time.

The bill speaks to the core of facilitating more STEM-literate workers — getting students interested and engaged in STEM activities early in their education.

“If you can do a better job of keeping them engaged, you do a better job in retaining them,” Hamilton said.

The College of Education has been a driving force behind engaging students in STEM and improving methods to make it interesting and relevant to all students.

“You are going to use STEM every day whether you recognize it or not,” Hamilton said.

In the following pages, you will read about some of the stories, experiences and research that reflects our efforts to provide students the opportunity to learn the methodologies for STEM teaching, and to experience science in authentic environments as well as approaches to reach students from myriad backgrounds.