You will hear the acronym STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) a lot whenever the discussion turns to improving education in the United States, and there is a good reason. Those disciplines are the cornerstones of the jobs that will keep America competitive in the near and distant future, and we have to get our students ready for that future now.
It's not exactly breaking news that U.S. students have lagged in many surveys that measure academic performance around the globe, with our children currently sitting about mid-pack in international comparisons of math and science performance. Other studies also paint a bleak picture with less than one-third of U.S. eighth graders showing proficiency in math and science, and reports showing that even some schools that are considered successful aren't keeping the pace in STEM subjects.
The paradox is that we live in a society where a lot of the careers that can be launched with a solid education in the STEM curriculum would seem to be appealing to the students who are failing to learn about them.
For example, many of the green jobs that would interest those with an environmental bent require studies in the life sciences, engineering, and math. Our technology addictions are fueled by the work of engineers and computer programmers who toiled for years to make advances that would have been magical a few decades ago simply everyday occurrences. Even the careers that young children often aspire to -- like veterinarians, doctors, nurses, and astronauts – will need them to transfer that enthusiasm into studies in STEM areas as they grow up.
So, how can we turn this tide and make STEM education more successful in the United States?
Sow STEM seeds early: Students who have exciting experiences in STEM subjects early are more likely to follow through. Eighth graders with an interest in STEM are three times more likely to pursue degrees in those careers later.
Show students why STEM careers matter: Underrepresented groups, like women and minorities and students from low-income areas, need to see others like them who are involved in STEM-related careers to spark their interest.
Explain that STEM education creates opportunity: More than 1 million additional graduates with STEM degrees will be needed to fill the growing number of jobs that require those skills.
President Obama has emphasized the need to improve STEM studies to improve global competitiveness, and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is exploring the formation of a new STEM service corps to improve educational outcomes in these critical subject areas. CNCS has a history of harnessing the nation's people power to solve difficult problems, and many CNCS programs and initiatives are providing services that are improving educational opportunity across the country. Here are a few examples:
- CalSERVES is operating an afterschool program with 123 AmeriCorps members and 450 volunteers that offers intensive small-group tutoring in STEM subjects.
- Citizen Schools, which works to expand the learning day for low-income middle schools around the nation, is connecting volunteer professionals with students to improve math studies and increase enthusiasm for STEM careers.
- Our VISTAs have been connecting students with STEM professionals through groups like Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum in Compton, CA, and the Greater Valdosta United Way and Boys and Girls Clubs in Georgia.
We need to take steps now to reverse the slide in STEM education and prepare our students for a more competitive future. Our success or failure will determine our country's future as a global economic power.
Keywords:
Education   
STEM   
AmeriCorps   
VISTA   
CNCS   
Many homeless people face significant barriers to employment, including lack of work-appropriate clothing, limited access to computers or computer skills, and transportation issues. The dilemma is that these challenges are tough to surmount when people with a strong desire to work can’t access the practical tools they need to find and maintain long-term employment.
“Believe in something; stand for something; act on something.” These ideas epitomize the career of new AmeriCorps Director Bill Basl as he continues his impressive work in public and national service and takes the helm of the program with more than 80,000 members.
Keywords:
AmeriCorps   
CNCS   
VISTA   
Basl   
Washington Service Corps   
At the Corporation for National and Community Service, we hear and learn about amazing things happening through national service every day. But the best way to experience the power of national service isn’t in our headquarters in Washington, DC.
Keywords:
UWS   
AmeriCorps   
VISTA   
California   
WendySpencer   
826LA   
Playworks   
One of the major factors that contribute to children falling behind in reading is the learning loss that occurs during summer break. Low-income students, in particular, lose two to three months in reading achievement over the summer.
Keywords:
LRLM   
VISTA   
education   
summer slide   
PlayWorks   
Baltimore   
The London 2012 Summer Olympics opens tonight, and we’re feeling the Olympic spirit. With that in mind, we asked visitors to the AmeriCorps Facebook page which events would be included in an AmeriCorps Summer Games. As you might imagine, we received some mighty interesting responses.
Keywords:
AmeriCorps   
AmeriCorps NCCC   
AmeriCorps VISTA   
summer olympics   
Nearly half of Ohio’s school children qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, and many of these children do not have access to adequate nutrition during the summer months. This lack of access to adequate nutrition has been linked to poorer academic performance, which can easily perpetuate the vicious cycle of poverty.
Keywords:
AmeriCorps   
VISTA   
Ending Hunger   
Summer Food Service Program   
USDA   
Ohio Association of Foodbanks   
LRLM   
The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has a rich heritage in food production, but an increased reliance on processed foods has left them susceptible to America's obesity epidemic. One way to battle this problem is to increase the availability of locally grown, healthy food choices, and the Red Cliff Mino Bi Ma De Se Win (Return to the Good Life) Community Farm is tackling the problem head-on
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Let's Move in Indian Country   
LRLM   
VISTA   
AmeriCorps   
On April 20, Nebraska young people paused for seven seconds of silence. These students and young adults were illustrating the fact that every seven seconds someone in our country is bullied. Together, 61,709 students and youth in communities across Nebraska made a personal pledge to fight bullying and stand up for those who are bullied.
Keywords:
Nebraska   
Commissions   
AmeriCorps   
VISTA   
Youth   
Bullying   
Today, I was thrilled to be with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at Memorial Middle School in Orlando, FL to announce Together for Tomorrow, a new initiative to expand community engagement and citizen service to improve low-performing schools.
Keywords:
Education   
FaithBased   
Florida   
Together for Tomorrow   
AmeriCorps   
VISTA   
Today, a group of young men and women, many of them veterans, will stand up and pledge to “get things done for America”. They will join a legion of more than 750,000 Americans who have served in AmeriCorps and become the first class to also serve as VetCorps members.
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Veterans   
Jobs   
CADCA   
VetCorps   
National Guard   
AmeriCorps   
VISTA   
On March 16, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made his last visit to the city of Los Angeles. He used that occasion to deliver a speech calling for an end to poverty, and to build support for a Poor People's Campaign to demand jobs, health care and housing for the country's poor.
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UWS   
MLKDay   
AmeriCorps   
City of Service   
Los Angeles   
VISTA   
Last week the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) convened more than 200 leaders in the disability and service communities at the 2011 Symposium on Service and Inclusion. Our goal: to discuss strategies to recruit, engage, and support more people with disabilities in national service.
Keywords:
NationalService   
Disability   
Inclusion   
AmeriCorps   
CEO   
VISTA   
Nevada   
Within tribal communities, Native Americans are uniting to combat the dire problems affecting their populations, including poverty, addiction, and high suicide rates. Native American youth leaders have taken the lead, inspiring their communities to take action and tackling these issues head on.
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Tribal   
AmeriCorps   
Hawaii   
Champions of Change   
VISTA   
Homelessness   
Poverty   
When our armed forces return from combat, the impact it has on their lives is lasting, though not always evident. For many, they are returning with invisible wounds, that left untreated, can turn into scars.
Keywords:
Veterans   
Military   
Colorado   
PTSD   
AmeriCorps   
VISTA   
Supporting our nation's troops, veterans, and military families is critical to our national security and to strengthening our communities. It is also a top priority for of Corporation for National and Community Service, stemming from the bipartisan Serve America Act.
Keywords:
Veterans   
Jobs   
CADCA   
VetCorps   
National Guard   
CEO   
AmeriCorps   
VISTA   
Chuck Hundley, a Marine Reservist throughout college was never deployed overseas because his skills as an AAV Technician were needed back in the states. That didn't stop him from trying however, “I wanted to go so badly and support my fellow troops, but I got the orders to stay back.”
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Veterans   
AmeriCorps   
VISTA   
Washington