AIf there’s a better way to spend part of your weekend, we can’t think of it right now: It was our pleasure and privilege to sponsor and attend this year’s California State Finals of the You Be The Chemist Challenge®, held at the Discovery Cube in Orange County.
A quick recap: The You Be The Chemist Challenge® is an interactive academic contest launched by the Chemical Education Foundation that’s aimed at students in grades 5-8. It encourages them to explore chemistry concepts and how those apply in the real world. It’s a unique chance for schools, members of the chemical industry, educators and other community partners to join together in support of STEM education.
It’s inspiring to see these young people devote their time and attention to science. STEM education matters more than ever today, especially in a national and global economy that’s driven by technological innovation. That’s one reason why many NACD members are behind STEM education efforts in their communities.
STEM education is still in crisis
Some people may think that the need for STEM education and training isn’t as much of an issue as it’s been in the past. As if the increased awareness about STEM has already led to changes that fixed the problem.
That’s not true, according to recent statistics and studies:
- Compared to the rest of the world, the U.S. ranks 27th in math and 20th in science among 34 countries, according to the National Math + Science Initiative.
- Just 36% of all high school grads are ready to take a college-level science course.
But STEM is a growth area when it comes to career opportunities:
- Between 2014 and 2024, the number of STEM jobs will grow 17%, as compared with only 12% for non-STEM jobs.
- Chemists and materials scientists made a median annual wage of $75,420 per year in 2016, more than double the combined median of all other occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- The U.S. chemical industry is going strong, but many positions go unfilled due to the lack of qualified candidates.
- The U.S. Department of Education has been projecting strong growth across all STEM jobs this decade, too:
Sponsoring a competitive tomorrow
Supporting initiatives like YBTC is important to us because it’s helping to close the talent gap and create the next generation of innovators in our industry. That’s critical to future competitiveness, not only in personal care products formulation, cosmetics, or chemical manufacturing and distribution, but in other sectors, too.
It’s why we would encourage companies in any industry where STEM talent is at a premium to reach out and get involved with STEM education in their own disciplines or locations.
It’s too important an investment in America’s future success.
