HoustonWorks USA Publication Details STEM Challenges and Solutions
HOUSTON (January 18, 2012) – As home to top energy companies, America’s second busiest port, space exploration and the world’s largest medical center, Houston is a STEM city. However, according to a newly released white paper entitled “Bridging the Gap” by the HoustonWorks USA STEM Institute, there is a growing need in the Houston/Gulf Coast area for educational initiatives to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. The white paper highlights the gap in STEM education between the United States and other industrial nations and its impact on a viable future STEM workforce.
Research data, cited in “Bridging the Gap,” reveals the reality of America’s STEM challenges:
HoustonWorks USA has partnered with faculty from Prairie View A&M University and Texas A&M University to illustrate the challenge of meeting the technical workforce needs from a national perspective down to a direct regional level. The publication discusses the opportunities that will be available to local youth and the urgency to spark interest in STEM subjects to build a strong workforce able to compete in a global economy. “Bridging the Gap” illustrates the need for collaborations between private companies, learning institutions, non-profit organizations, federal and local governments and other community partners to increase youth STEM participation and interest.
“The STEM gap is directly related to the issue that many students never make it into the STEM pipeline because of inadequate preparation in math and science, which results in lower interest in STEM fields in postsecondary studies,” Fred A. Bonner, II, Ed.D., Texas A&M University, said. “Educational collaborations, across levels of governments, business and education, will shape the quality and quantity of the STEM workforce.”
Additionally, the numbers of minorities, lower-income and female STEM students remain low despite their increased participation in higher education. Population statistics in “Bridging the Gap” illustrate the following disparities:
“It is critical that we address the issues raised by ‘Bridging the Gap’ white paper in order for our nation to remain the leader in technology and innovation in the global market place,” Larry V. Green, CEO, HoustonWorks USA, said. “The HoustonWorks USA STEM Institute is helping to build the pipeline of individuals entering the technical workforce in key area industries such as energy, aerospace, technology and transportation.”
The HoustonWorks USA STEM Institute is designed to address the nation’s challenge to remain competitive in STEM education. The Institute plans to accomplish this through teacher training, advanced research in STEM related field and youth focused programming. The Institute encompasses research, education, career preparedness, outreach and mentoring through partnerships with corporations, non-profits, universities, as well as local, state and federal governments. In less than five years, the STEM Institute has formed partnerships that include: Greater Houston Partnership, NASA, Reliant, Rice University H.E.R.E. Project, Schlumberger, Shell, Texas Southern University and the University of Houston.
“Today’s youth are perhaps the largest group of technology consumers and therefore, the very people who have the largest impact on future innovations,” James Pritchett, CEO, Petris Technology, Inc., and HoustonWorks USA Board Member, said. “The STEM Institute’s precise focus upon youth opens their eyes to the importance of STEM subjects, their practical applications to everyday life and the impact of a career in the field of science and technology.”
To download a copy of the white paper, please visit www.houstonworks.org. HoustonWorks USA STEM Institute staff is available for interview; please e-mail info@houstonworks.org for more information.
ABOUT HOUSTONWORKS USA:
Founded in 1984, HoustonWorks USA is the leading provider of services focusing on job placement, continuing education and vocational training. Serving more than 1 million annually, HoustonWorks USA provides job seekers with a variety of workshops including job search techniques, interviewing skills and resume writing, and use of the resource library with internet access and postings of local, state and national job openings. Training is also available in career fields such as healthcare, business, computers and education. HoustonWorks USA manages several of the largest Workforce Solutions offices in Houston and the surrounding region for the Houston-Galveston Area Council. These offices offer a wide range of services for job seekers as well as employers looking for trained workers. HoustonWorks also provides numerous youth programs including internships, scholarships, summits and summer camps. HoustonWorks is a 501(c) 3, tax-exempt organization. Visit www.houstonworks.org for additional information.
# # #