STEM - or science, technology, engineering and math - is the key to success for our global future. Today's recovering, highly competitive economy is in desperate need of STEM careers. Which countries lead the STEM race? How is the U.S. performing compared to the leaders? And who's rising to the challenge of equipping future generations? This infographic by PGi, a global leader in collaboration and virtual meetings, reveals the dangers of overlooking this looming threat and how we can stem the tide for global leadership in STEM education and economies.

1. THE CASE FOR
SYSTEMATIC CHANGE
TODAY’S RECOVERING, HIGHLY COMPETITIVE ECONOMY offers a growing demand for
science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. To compete in this greater job
market, the U.S. education system needs support to equip students with tools for STEM success.
Which Countries Lead the STEM Race?
In the global classroom, how does each country compare in preparation
for entering the workforce? See who’s ahead of the class and who’s
struggling to catch up.
MATH SCALE
SCIENCE SCALE
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
SHANGHAI - CHINA
700
800
900
1000
1100
600
1200
575
1300
1,175
HONG KONG
555
549
1,104
SINGAPORE
562
542
1,104
FINLAND
541
554
1,095
KOREA
546
538
1,084
JAPAN
529
539
1,068
CHINESE TAIPEI
543
520
1,063
LIECHTENSTEIN
536
520
1,056
CANADA
527
529
1,056
NEW ZEALAND
519
532
1,051
517
1,051
522
1,048
SWITZERLAND
534
NETHERLANDS
526
AUSTRALIA
514
527
1,041
ESTONIA
512
528
1,040
MACAO - CHINA
525
511
1,036
520
1,033
GERMANY
513
BELGIUM
515
507
1,022
UNITED KINGDOM
492
514
1,006
POLAND
495
508
1,003
ICELAND
507
496
1,003
DENMARK
503
499
1,002
NORWAY
498
500
998
IRELAND
487
508
995
FRANCE
487
508
995
HUNGARY
490
503
993
UNITED STATES
487
502
989
SWEDEN
494
495
989
PORTUGAL
487
493
980
LATVIA
482
494
976
ITALY
483
489
972
STEM Performance in U.S. Schools, Magnified
The United States is struggling to produce graduates who are prepared for STEM careers.
PERCENTAGE OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WHO MET COLLEGE READINESS BENCHMARKS IN 2011
3.14159
52% READING
45% MATH
30% SCIENCE
DEMAND/SUPPLY
UNEMPLOYED WORKERS VS. JOB POSTINGS
In the current employment market,
In STEM occupations,
UNEMPLOYED WORKERS OUTNUMBER
JOB POSTINGS 3.6 TO ONE.
JOB POSTINGS OUTNUMBER
UNEMPLOYED WORKERS 1.9 TO ONE.
DIFFERENCE IN AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS
HIGH SCHOOL
DIPLOMA
OR LESS
$9.27
NON-STEM
STEM
$15.55
SOME COLLEGE
OR ASSOCIATE
DEGREE
$24.82
$7.61
NON-STEM
$19.02
STEM
$26.63
BACHELOR’S
DEGREE
$7.59
NON-STEM
$28.22
STEM
$35.81
GRADUATE
DEGREE
$4.47
NON-STEM
$36.22
STEM
$40.69
STEMming the Tide
Investing in STEM is an investment in the future. Currently, women make up slightly more
than half the population but hold only 4.2% of Fortune 500™ CEO positions and 4.6% of
Fortune 1000™ CEO positions.
Fortunately, there are groups already making a difference, bringing STEM
education to the next generation of workers – THE STUDENTS.
GIRLSTART
EMPOWERING GIRLS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH
482 576
EDUCATORS
596
GIRLS IN STEM
CONFERENCE
GIRLSTART
SUMMER CAMPS
875
GIRLSTART AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS
10,699
TOTAL
REACHED:
WITH 96% ON SCHOLARSHIPS
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT®
TO INSPIRE AND PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SUCCEED IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY
8 OUT JAOF 10
ALUMNI SAID HELPED
20%
OF JA ALUMNI OWN
BUSINESSES.
REINFORCE THE IMPORTANCE
OF STAYING IN SCHOOL.
4.2 MILLION U.S. STUDENTS
In 183,000 classrooms during 2011-2012
WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE AND PREPARE OUR STUDENTS to become leaders in the global
community. Now more than ever, we must equip our students with the skills and knowledge to build prosperous
careers in a STEM-driven economy. To make a difference today, visit girlstart.org and juniorachievement.org.
SOURCES: oecd.org • nms.org • nsf.gov • lessoncast.org •
girlstart.org • juniorachievement.org
pgi.com