Apply Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education effectively

Recently, the president signed into law historic legislation that makes significant new investments in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.  These investments will help us to maintain our place at the forefront of the worldwide economy. However, if we truly intend to take advantage of the resources we are devoting to these efforts, if we want to continue to be the global leaders of the new economy, we’re going to have to think locally.

In 2005, the Augustine Commission, made up of some of the most distinguished national leaders in academia, industry and government, issued a startling report entitled “Rising Above the Gathering Storm.” Their report expressed serious concern that “the scientific and technological building blocks critical to our economic leadership are eroding at a time when many other nations are gathering strength.” Fortunately, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and other House Democrats responded to this clarion call with concrete action, passing historic legislation called the America COMPETES Act. It authorizes $33.6 billion in spending over the next three years to enhance and expand STEM Education.

Moving forward, it will be important for us to remember that training a new generation of math and science teachers, and subsequently a new generation of mathematicians, scientists, and engineers, is only half the battle. We also have to ask ourselves: How do we expect this new generation of technically inclined workers to grow our economy? By investing in STEM education, we are creating a new national resource. How can we shape that investment to get the most bang for our buck?

At a time when the economy is more global than ever, we can maintain our position at its forefront by thinking locally.

Recognizing this fact, the America COMPETES Act also contains a critically important grant program that speaks directly to why we need legislation like this in the first place.  Churning out scientists and engineers for the sake of doing so won’t get us where we need to go. We need to be sure that the graduates produced by our colleges and universities are ready to step right into the 21st century workforce. To accomplish that, we need everyone — academia, business, government — to work together.

Section 6401 of the America COMPETES Act authorizes a $120 million grant program for statewide partnerships that align public educational standards and curricula with the demands of the 21st century workforce. By getting all of the stakeholders at the table, communicating and coordinating their efforts, we can create regional and state-level relationships that will allow for a seamless transition between academia, industry, and economic development efforts. By creating these partnerships at the state and regional level, we allow states and regions to build on their existing strengths in creating a new innovation economy. Finally, this approach recognizes the fact that, even though our economy is more global than ever, we remain a society that values community above all else.

The Council on Competitiveness’s Regional Innovation Initiative takes much the same approach. Last fall, in my home region of New England, the Council on Competitiveness convened a meeting of political, academic and business leaders that highlighted the importance of communication and collaboration among regional leaders to implementing an innovation platform in New England. This led to the adoption by regional governors of a resolution supporting the development of a regional innovation agenda.

Ultimately, the goal will be to create a regional innovation and economic development strategy that begins with our education system. State and regional educational standards and curricula should be aligned with the needs and opportunities generated by local industry. By training students to excel in the specific skills and techniques they will need to spur further innovation and economic growth in their own communities, we will bring the American economy into the 21st century without sacrificing our devotion to our communities.

The investments of the America COMPETES Act will create the raw material we need to pursue this strategy. It will be up to leaders on the state and regional level to take full advantage of these investments. At the federal level, we should continue to support these state-level collaborative approaches to meshing our education system with the new economy. There are no doubts that our students have the talent — all we need to do is put them on the pathway to success. By thinking locally, our economy can continue to excel globally.

Kennedy is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

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Apply Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education effectively