Two recent National Science Board reports from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics make one thing very clear:
STEM now represents the core engine of the U.S. economy.
According to NCSES:
• 36 million STEM workers in 2023
• 25 percent of the total U.S. workforce
• STEM occupations grew 26 percent over the past decade compared to 9 percent for non-STEM
• Median STEM earnings: $76,000 versus $55,000 in non-STEM
• S&E workers median earnings: $100,000
At the same time, we are seeing:
• A 27-point drop in U.S. eighth-grade math scores between 2019 and 2023
• U.S. students ranking in the bottom third internationally in mathematics
• A direct correlation between 11th-grade math performance and STEM degree completion
• Rapid growth in computer and information sciences degrees at both bachelor’s and master’s levels
• China now awarding more S&E doctoral degrees annually than the United States
This presents both a warning and an opportunity.
The warning:
We are expanding STEM employment while weakening the early mathematics pipeline.
The opportunity:
AI, analytics, and adaptive learning systems can help close the preparation and persistence gap in STEM fields.
As a doctoral student in Educational Technology at Central Michigan University, my research focus centers on AI-Augmented Exploratory Learning and applied analytics in education. My work explores how structured AI systems can improve math competency, STEM persistence, and workforce readiness.
If 1 in 4 American workers is in STEM, then improving STEM preparation is not just an education issue. It is an economic competitiveness issue.
Data analytics is the intersection of math and computer programming.
And math proficiency is the gateway to opportunity.
If you are interested in STEM workforce strategy, AI in education, or applied analytics for institutional growth, I would welcome the conversation.
Robert Foreman
Doctoral Student, Educational Technology
Central Michigan University
forem1r@cmich.edu
#STEM #AIinEducation #DataAnalytics #EducationalTechnology #WorkforceDevelopment #HigherEducation #STEMPipeline #ArtificialIntelligence #EdTech #EconomicCompetitiveness #DoctoralResearch