By Maria Claudia Soler
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—STEM fields—are the cornerstone of innovation, technological advancement, and economic growth in today’ dynamic world. STEM education provides individuals with the skills and knowledge to secure high-demand, high-wage jobs in emerging industries, as well as the aptitude for lifelong learning and success in a rapidly changing environment. While STEM fields play a major role in economic growth, workforce development, and society at large, STEM can also address inequality and promote diversity. Ensuring access to high-quality STEM education among underrepresented groups is critical to bridging the gap for historically marginalized communities in educational attainment and economic opportunity, as well as in cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce that brings together varied perspectives and creates innovative solutions.
Despite the benefits that a more inclusive STEM community can bring to innovation and socioeconomic progress, the current educational pipeline in STEM fields is not especially diverse—particularly among racial and ethnic minorities, women, and individuals from low-income backgrounds. As shown in Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education: 2024 Status Report, racial and ethnic minorities earn disproportionally low percentages of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in STEM fields. Though women have been attending STEM programs at an increased rate in the past decade, the gender gap in STEM education remains pronounced—especially at the graduate level. Students from low-income backgrounds may face additional obstacles in accessing STEM graduate education.
