Wisconsin to work for equity in participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

State accepted into first year of national STEM Equity Pipeline Project

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster and Wisconsin Technical College System President Dan Clancy announced that Wisconsin has been accepted as one of the first five states in a national project that will be used to attract more girls, students of color, and students with disabilities to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The national STEM Equity Pipeline Project has been developed by the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity Education Foundation, with support from a National Science Foundation grant. In Wisconsin, the project is being managed in partnership by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS).

“Many of Wisconsin’s fastest-growing industries and highest-demand jobs are STEM-related,” said Clancy. “These fields are indispensable as Wisconsin strives to transition into a knowledge-based economy.”

”We cannot afford to allow barriers related to gender, economic level, or racial and ethnic background to prevent any student from pursuing STEM studies or careers,” said Burmaster. “This project will help us increase the diversity of students participating in the STEM areas of study.”

National STEM Equity Pipeline Project directors say many girls are still turned off from STEM careers by stereotypes that boys are more suited to those fields. Wisconsin has also seen disparities in STEM participation that echo the more general achievement gaps between students of color, economically disadvantaged students, and their peers.

More information is available in the complete news release.

Last updated on 7/2/2008 8:32:32 AM