Innovate+Educate Blog

REPORT: STEM jobs offer higher pay, lower unemployment

July 15, 2011

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) released a new report on Thursday that profiles U.S. employment in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

STEM: Good Jobs Now and for the Future offers an inside look at workers who are driving our nation’s innovation and competitiveness and helping America win the future with new ideas, new companies, and new industries.

In 2010, 7.6 million people or 5.5 percent of the labor force worked in STEM occupations.

Key findings from the new report show that over the past 10 years, growth in STEM jobs was three times greater than that of non-STEM jobs, and STEM jobs are expected to continue to grow at a faster rate than other jobs in the coming decade. Meanwhile, STEM workers are also less likely to experience joblessness.

“This report profiles the fast-growing, productive STEM workforce and illustrates how we can win the future by encouraging the pursuit of 21st century jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “STEM jobs are essential to a competitive, innovative, and technologically-advanced U.S. economy.”

Further findings show STEM workers command higher wages, earning 26 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts. STEM degree holders also enjoy higher earnings, regardless of whether they work in STEM or non-STEM occupations. Likewise, college graduates - no matter what their major - enjoy an earnings premium for having a STEM job.

“A STEM education is a pathway to prosperity - not just for you as an individual but for America as a whole,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “We need you in our classrooms, labs, and key government agencies to help solve our biggest challenges, and that’s why we are investing heavily to promote STEM education.”

In comparison to the average worker, STEM workers are highly educated. More than two-thirds of STEM workers have at least a college degree, compared to less than one-third of non-STEM workers.

STEM: Good Jobs Now and for the Future is based on analysis to date from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and Current Population Survey.  In this report, STEM jobs are defined to include professional and technical support occupations in the fields of computer science and mathematics, engineering, and life and physical sciences.

U.S. Chamber says New Mexico is a center for STEM jobs

June 22, 2011

A new study conducted by the Praxis Group for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce identifies states leading in the specific attributes and practices that contribute to job creation.

“When it comes to job growth, where the rubber meets the road is at the state level,” said Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “Companies, capital, and jobs go where they are welcome.”

Here’s the New Mexico entry, as described in the Industry Week:

“New Mexico, home to Sandia and Los Alamos national labs, is a center for STEM jobs and its strength is increasing. The state ranks ninth in STEM job concentration, eighth in STEM job growth and 10th in entrepreneurial activity. The state also is home to the New Mexico Technology Ventures Corporation, one of the longest-running and most successful research commercialization enterprises.”

Louisiana leads in all export categories, largely due to its oil, gas, chemical and agriculture, and major port.

Tennessee leads overall in the taxes and regulation category with its “no surprises” regulatory environment, and “manageable budget gap.”

Florida has an efficient job-placement system, high share of high school students in advanced placement courses, and its Quick Response Training Program that is employer-driven.

Maine is in the top 10 of all three infrastructure measures in the study, including the nation’s highest share of broadband connections more than 3 megabits per second.

And Alaska is in the top 10 in six-of-seven economic performance rankings, with job growth in every sector; led by oil, gas, and seafood products.

New Tri-Border Regional Innovation Center launches in New Mexico

June 16, 2011

Launched in partnership with the Gadsden Independent School District (GISD), the Tri-Border Innovation Center benefits citizens in Las Cruces, Gadsden, Hatch, and beyond by housing cutting-edge science and technology that links New Mexico’s regional assets, technologists, and entrepreneurs to students and their learning.

Jamai Blivin, CEO of Innovate+Educate, praised the leadership of Dr. Brian Ormand, Dr. Susan Bussmann, and Dr. Susan Brown from New Mexico State University for helping develop the NM STEM Network and launching the Southern Hub. She also thanked GISD Superintendent Cynthia Nava and the school district for allowing this opportunity to advance STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education for the youth in this region. Blivin also recognized Randall Hayes, Director of the New Mexico Museum of Space History, for his visionary leadership and incredible partnership during the development of this Hub.

 “Without each of these partners, this Hub would not have happened,” added Blivin. “We also would like to thank our Innovation Funding partners and members of our board of directors that funded this work including Intel Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Monster.com. We truly appreciate their belief in Innovate+Educate and the NM STEM Network.”

 Innovate+Educate was founded on the principle of public/private partnerships that will convene, align, focus, scale, and sustain transformation in education as well as advance a STEM competitive workforce for our economy.  Innovate+Educate is committed to regional innovation and is working on a multi-state partnership that will involve industry and partnerships from El Paso to Las Cruces to benefit all students in New Mexico.

 Jami Grindatto, Innovate+Educate Chairman of the Board and Intel’s Corporate Affairs Manager of Southwestern U.S., said the Tri-Border Innovation Center will cultivate an entrepreneurial learning environment and planning is underway with key stakeholders for the center to serve as a convening, collaborative location for the tri-regional partners in Southern New Mexico, Southwest Texas (El Paso), and Mexico.

“It will serve as a key location for “Seamless Summer of STEM” this June,” said Grindatto. “Innovate+Educate especially would like thank the Gadsden Independent School District and Senator Nava for their leadership in this public/private partnership.”

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About Innovate+Educate
The mission of Innovate+Educate is to radically redefine how industry and education collaborate to support workforce development by creating public-private partnerships focused on delivery of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Innovate+Educate currently has offices in Santa Fe, N.M., Washington, D.C., and Santa Teresa, N.M.

About New Mexico STEM Network
The NM STEM Network is addressing the critical issues of our time: How to educate students in a way that provides relevance and rigor, which prepares students for college and careers, and utilizes technology to transform teaching and learning. Working through a network makes it possible to align the important resources in a community – leveraging the work of schools, chambers of commerce, business, higher education, and other important community institutions.

 About Southern Hub
The southern region of New Mexico has taken the steps to become the first Hub in New Mexico under the NM STEM Network. This region already is home to innovation and cutting-edge science, engineering, and technology. With the launch of the Spaceport, the growth of White Sands Missile Range, a premier higher education region and an engaged community, the resources and the leadership are there to harness the energy created by the NM STEM Network to significantly improve student achievement.

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U.S. DoE announces second round of i3 grants

June 15, 2011

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that $150 million will be available for the next round of Investing in Innovation (i3) grants to continue support for evidence-based practices in education. Individual school districts, groups of districts, and nonprofits in partnership with districts or a consortium of schools are invited to apply.

The DoE also noted that new priorities are included in the next round to include improving educational opportunities in rural schools and in STEM.

Award amounts have been adjusted to ensure that applicants have sufficient funding to carry out program goals while enabling the DoE to fund as many high-quality applications as possible.

Grants will be available within the same three categories as in Round 1:

•    Up to $25 million each will be available for Scale-up Grants to applicants with the strongest evidence and track records of success;
•    Up to $15 million each will be available for Validation Grants to verify effectiveness for programs with moderate levels of evidence;
•    Up to $3 million each will be available for Development Grants to support new and high-potential practices whose impact should be studied further.

Grant recipients will be required to secure private-sector matching funds of 5%, 10%, or 15%, respectively.

For the second round, the Department has included two new absolute priorities focusing on achievement and high school graduation rates in rural schools and promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

The three absolute priorities that remain from last year’s competition include, supporting effective teachers and principals, implementing high standards and quality assessments, and turning around persistently low-performing schools.

All applicants must address one of these five key areas of reform.

“Smart innovation and entrepreneurship has the ability to dramatically accelerate student achievement and attainment,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “The next round of i3 grants will add to the growing portfolio of new and emerging successful practices in education and invest in ideas that help supply teachers and students with the tools they need to be successful.”

In addition, competitive preference will be given to grantees that demonstrate support for improving early learning outcomes, increasing college access and success, addressing the unique needs of students with disabilities and limited English proficient students, or improving productivity or technology.

In round one, the i3 program received nearly 1,700 applicants and awarded a total of 49 grants to a cross section of school districts and non-profit organizations.

To aid the i3 application process, pre-application workshops will be offered in the coming weeks along with several webinars on key i3 topics.

Notices Inviting Applications for each of the three grant categories are currently available:

•    Scale-up grants: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-06-03/pdf/2011-13592.pdf
•    Validation grants: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-06-03/pdf/2011-13594.pdf
•    Development grants: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-06-03/pdf/2011-13596.pdf

Applications are due on Aug. 2. Awards will be made no later than Dec. 31. For more information visit: http://www.ed.gov/.

STEM hearing scheduled Thursday in D.C.

June 13, 2011

The House Science Committee will home in on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education at a hearing on Thursday, soliciting input from elementary school students themselves.

Witnesses include a third-grader and a sixth-grade student as well as a parent. Academic witnesses also will testify.

The Obama administration has been a strong proponent of STEM investments, making it a central aspect of the competitiveness message in the State of the Union address and subsequent messaging.

The full committee hearing on STEM Education will be held at 2318 Rayburn HOB Washington, D.C., 20515 on Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 between 10 a.m. and noon.

The witnesses participating include:

• Dr. Karen Lozano, Professor at University of Texas Pan American, Parent to Pablo Vidal and Mentor to the i.streets (Intelligent Streets) Discovery Montessori School Team
• Master Pablo Vidal, 3rd grade student at Discovery Montessori School and member of the i.streets (Intelligent Streets) Team
• Mrs. Brenda Conwell-Dudley, Parent to Jack Dudley and Mentor to the HEADS UP! Virginia Virtual Academy Team
• Master Jack Dudley, 6th grade student at Virginia Virtual Academy and member of the HEADS UP! Team
• Ms. Amy Attard, Science Teacher and Coach to the I-TBS: Intra-Trachea West Hills Middle School Team
• Miss Claudia Cooper, 7th grade student at West Hills Middle School and member of the I-TBS: Intra-Trachea Team
• Ms. Anne Manwell, Science Teacher and Mentor to the 3Drenal: Kidney Bio-Printer Stuyvesant High School Team
• Miss Alison Reed, 10th grade student at the Stuyvesant High School and member of the 3Drenal: Kidney Bio-Printer Team

For more information, visit http://science.house.gov/.