Interactive Website Provides Easy Access to STEM Education, Workforce Data

PRESS RELEASE 14-144
Issued by the National Science Foundation, October 28, 2014

It just became a lot easier for educators, students, parents, policymakers and business leaders to learn more about national trends in education and jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The National Science Board (NSB) today released an interactive, online resource featuring new and updated data and graphics about STEM education and workforce in the U.S. and providing facts on topics such as student proficiency, college degrees in STEM fields, and jobs in science-related occupations.

"The STEM fields are critical to the nation's economic future," said Kelvin Droegemeier, vice chairman of NSB, the governing body of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and advisor to the president and Congress. "Our ability to innovate and compete depends on how well we do in science and technology. The National Science Board developed this one-stop answer center to provide a reliable resource on STEM education and careers."

The resource features 60 central questions, organized by education level and the workforce, with multiple data points, graphs and maps providing the answers to each question. Users can view the latest data, consider trends, easily download both data and graphics and share these data through email and social media. Links to additional analysis are provided for each topic.

"Discussions about STEM education and the workforce are often limited to generalities," said Droegemeier. "This resource is an easy way to find the facts on what's really going on, how we're doing and where we're headed. It's part of the Board's support for STEM education and its commitment to providing high-quality, objective information."

Droegemeier chairs the NSB committee that oversees the preparation, review and distribution of the Science and Engineering Indicators report, upon which the data for the new STEM Ed resource are primarily drawn.

EXPLORE THE STEM EDUCATION DATA RESOURCE

About the National Science Board

The NSB is the policymaking body for NSF. NSB also advises the president and Congress on science and engineering policy issues. The NSB's 24 members are drawn primarily from universities and industry and represent a variety of Science and Engineering disciplines. Selected for their eminence in research, education or public service and records of distinguished service, NSB members serve six-year terms. NSF's Director is an ex officio member of the NSB.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Nadine Lymn, National Science Board, (703) 292-2490, nlymn@nsf.gov

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2014, its budget is $7.2 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 50,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes about 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards about $593 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

Useful NSF Web Sites:

NSF Home Page: http://www.nsf.gov
NSF News: http://www.nsf.gov/news/
For the News Media: http://www.nsf.gov/news/newsroom.jsp
Science and Engineering Statistics: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/
Awards Searches: http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/

This release was published from material directly obtained from http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?org=NSF&cntn_id=133138&preview=false.