What Is STEM Education?

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Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026, 02:22 PM

STEM Education Defined

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education. It is an interdisciplinary approach that helps students succeed in college and in their future careers. The focus of a STEM education is hands-on, problem-based learning.

For the latest research on integrated STEM education, see the National Research Council report STEM Integration in K-12 Education.

Three-minute video from The National Academies on STEM Integration in K-12 Education.
Transcripts.

Why is STEM Education So Important to Illinois?

STEM education is critical to the future economic vitality and workforce competitiveness of Illinois. According to recent workforce projections, approximately 70% of jobs in Illinois are expected to require education or training beyond high school by the early 2030s, particularly in high-demand fields such as healthcare, engineering, computing, advanced manufacturing, data science, and emerging technologies.

At the same time, national and state educational indicators reveal continuing challenges in mathematics and STEM readiness among high school students. Recent results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often referred to as “The Nation’s Report Card,” show that only 22% of U.S. twelfth-grade students performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level in mathematics in 2024, while 45% performed below the Basic level. These findings highlight persistent gaps in college and career readiness, particularly in mathematics and computational thinking skills that are foundational to success in STEM disciplines.

Simply put, too many students are graduating from high school without the preparation needed to succeed in postsecondary STEM programs or to enter Illinois’ rapidly evolving STEM workforce. Meanwhile, employers across Illinois and the nation continue to report shortages of qualified workers in STEM-related fields, including computer science, engineering, healthcare technologies, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. Expanding access to high-quality STEM education and experiential learning opportunities is essential to strengthening the state’s workforce pipeline, supporting economic development, and preparing students for the careers of the future.

STEM Literacy

A student well-versed and literate in the STEM fields tends to be an innovative and critical thinker. He or she can apply what they’ve learned to real world problems, improving their communities along the way. High school graduates who are literate in STEM, transition seamlessly into their higher education careers in those fields. Ultimately, STEM literacy translates into employment in the increasingly knowledge-based economy we see locally and around the globe. STEM literacy means gainful employment in higher-earning jobs for today and tomorrow’s work force.