Did you know that U.S. students finished 25th in math and 17th in science in the ranking of 31 countries by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development?

“These numbers are a disgrace, honestly. We wouldn’t tolerate it if it was one of our sports teams competing internationally. The whole country would be up in arms,” says Mary Ann Rankin, CEO of the National Math and Science Initiative.

There are many federal and local efforts underway designed to get more students into the STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – pipeline. Most of these efforts begin around junior high. But I think we need to start even earlier – and we are. Continue reading →