WizSTEM is a community-based initiative focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) – related challenges and solutions at the local, regional and national level.

Policy-makers, educators, social activists and philanthropists are working together to address STEM field issues and larger education reform and workforce challenges at the national level.  Team wizSTEM is partnered with local and national leaders to develop and enhance programs that can be implemented locally, and then replicated at the national level.  In this way, students and communities in Northern Virginia and the Greater Washington DC areas receive immediate benefit, and the national efforts benefit from the lessons learned through these local pilot projects.  

We’re losing ground.

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that through 2012, employment in science and engineering occupations will grow 70% faster than in other occupations; by 2014, employers expect to hire 2.5 million new STEM workers.
• In 1970, 50% of people who held science and engineering doctorates in the world were Americans; by the end of 2010, the percentage is projected to be 15%.
• The world average of all bachelor’s degrees earned in natural sciences or engineering is 23%; in 2000, the US average was 11%.
• US youth in grades 4, 8 and 12 score substantially below international peers in science and mathematics; levels of high school graduation and higher education in the US have also fallen relative to other countries.
• Foreign-owned companies and foreign-born inventors now account for nearly half of all patents granted in the US.

 

Be part of Team wizSTEM

Partnership
Team wizSTEM is uniquely positioned to mobilize neighbors, educators, business leaders and policy-makers in response to this growing crisis.  We work closely with partners to develop and enhance programs that offer immediate benefit to students locally, and additional expertise and best-practices that will help make national level efforts more successful in the longer term. 

Education
wizSTEM supports education and programs for kids of all ages that encourage STEM field learning and help build bridges to STEM field careers.  We are working collaboratively with Fairfax County Public Schools to strengthen and enhance existing programs around mentoring and partnership with the business community.  Team wizSTEM is also exploring opportunities to pilot efforts between local communities and several universities with equal commitment to STEM field and larger education challenges.

Action
wizSTEM challenges individuals to take action on a personal level:
Raise funds for Breast Cancer research, encourage a child’s interest in Lego engineering, vote for policy-makers who make STEM a priority, and tell your friends and family about this urgent need.Change is in process at the national level, but individual people can begin making a difference in their own communities immediately. 

Want additional information about wizSTEM or how you can make a difference?  Give us a call at 703/752-6608 or email us at info@wizSTEM.org.