By Leanne Huebner, MBEF Board Member
Careers focused on STEM, in fields like biomedical engineering and computer programming, are predicted to grow by 17% over the next several years, or at a rate twice that of non-STEM job opportunities. Several studies predict 2 to 4 million STEM jobs will go unfilled by the end of this decade due to the lack of qualified candidates. On average, graduates in STEM fields command starting salaries that are 26% higher than salaries of non-STEM graduates. Considering these facts, it is not surprising that 78% of Manhattan Beach parents surveyed last year want future MBEF grants to focus on STEM/STEAM initiatives throughout our schools.
What are Manhattan Beach schools already doing to prepare for this major shift in tomorrow’s jobs? Here are ten programs happening around our schools that bring STEM to our students:
