Leaders in Science and Math have created a scorecard to gauge how North Carolina moves forward in connecting a STEM education to new economy jobs. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Sam Houston is president and CEO of the North Carolina Science, Math and Technology Education Center. He says the scorecard measures the state against itself and how to better link education to the jobs of the future.
“It looks at how we can create engaging environments to build off of the curiosity that young people have early in life, to take advantage of that curiosity and introduce them to science and all the careers and opportunities that exist there," says Houston.
New York-based IPREO announced this week it’s opening an office this summer in Raleigh. The company provides market intelligence, data and technology software to capital markets and says it likes the state’s high-caliber talent pool.
Houston says the STEM Scorecard calls on the state to invest in and increase the supply of certified Math and Science teachers across the state and pay them accordingly.
“We’re having a battle with business and industry. They want our best science and math graduates, and we want our best science and math graduates in the classroom, so we need to be competitive," says Houston.
The report also calls for leveraging funding to secure high speed internet for all.