State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

60
State of the STEM Workforce STS-127 Pre-launch Education Forum Amanda Stiles NASA Ames Research Center Garret Fitzpatrick NASA Johnson Space Center 12 JUNE 2009

Transcript of State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Page 1: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

State of the

STEM Workforce STS-127 Pre-launch Education Forum

Amanda Stiles NASA Ames Research Center

Garret Fitzpatrick NASA Johnson Space Center

12 JUNE 2009

Page 2: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

What is STEM?

Page 3: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Why is it

Important?

“Today, more than ever before,

science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation.

It’s time we once again put science

at the top of our agenda and work to restore America’s place as the world leader in

science and technology.”

President Obama Science Team Rollout Radio Address December 17th, 2008

Page 4: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Why is it

Important?

STEM makes up

less than 5% of the nation’s workforce,

but has a high impact on the economy of the nation.

Page 5: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Why is it

Important?

Technology accounts for

1/2 of GDP growth in industrialized nations.

Page 6: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Why is it

Important?

“Economic studies conducted even before the information-technology revolution have shown that as much as

85% of measured growth in US income per capita was due to

technological change.”

–National Science Foundation; Rising Above the Gathering Storm.

Page 7: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

But STEM in the

United States is in trouble.

Why is there a problem?

Page 8: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

“By the year 2000, U.S. students will be the first in the world in mathematics and science achievement.”

- U.S. Dept. of Education’s National Commission on Excellence in Education; A Nation At Risk

(1983)

Why is there a problem?

Page 9: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Why is there a problem?

In 2006, out of 26 developed

countries, the U.S. ranked

22nd in math and

19th in science

in middle school test scores.

Page 10: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Why is there a problem?

Percentage of undergraduates majoring in engineering in 2006:

•  Europe: •  Singapore: •  China: •  U.S.:

12% 20% 40% 6%

Page 11: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Why is there a problem?

So our STEM test scores are down

and our STEM numbers relative to other competing nations are down, too.

Page 12: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Why is there a problem?

This does not

bode well for the future of the

U.S. STEM workforce.

Page 13: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Why is there a problem?

This does not

bode well for the future of the

NASA workforce.

Page 14: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Why is there a problem?

How can we expect

to lead the world

in

technical achievement

if all the

technical expertise

resides elsewhere?

Bold endeavors

Discovery

Exploring new frontiers

Innovation

Page 15: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Why is there a problem?

How can we expect

to lead the world

in

technical achievement

if our own

technical expertise

becomes second-rate?

Bold endeavors

Discovery

Exploring new frontiers

Innovation

Page 16: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Generation

Y Which brings us to Generation Y.

The newest

generation to enter

the workforce.

Page 17: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Generation Y will have a

big role in the future

state of STEM in the U.S. Generation

Y

Page 18: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

So what is the

outlook for Generation Y at NASA?

Generation

Y

Page 19: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Generation Y actually makes up a

huge percentage

of the U.S. workforce.

Generation

Y

Page 20: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Number of Births in U.S. by Generation

Authors’ note: The term “Next Gen” defined as combination of Gen X & Y

Page 21: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Yet, there’s only

a small percentage

of Gen Y in NASA’s

workforce.

Generation

Y

Page 22: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Percentage of Workforce by 5-Year Age Band

Next Gen Baby Boomer 25% of U.S. workforce is under 30.

Only 4% of NASA’s workforce is under 30.

Page 23: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

And this is

common across all NASA centers.

Generation

Y

Page 24: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.
Page 25: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

This shortage of Gen Y in the workforce leads to gaps in

communication, career expectations, development, knowledge sharing,

leadership, and

technical experience.

Generation

Y

Page 26: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Ultimately, this

shortage has a direct effect on

mission success.

Generation

Y

Page 27: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

If we don’t get

enough Gen Y personnel in the

workforce…

…our

future leaders will not have the experience

necessary to tackle the tough

challenges ahead.

Generation

Y

Page 28: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

NASA is

taking steps to prepare for the future

&

engaging its own Generation Y employees to address workforce strategies.

Generation

Y

Page 29: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

So what can we do to prepare for the future?

Page 30: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

First of all,

the world is different today than it was in the 60’s.

It’s a Different World

Page 31: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

In the 60’s…

NASA inspired millions to enter STEM fields because of a

bold goal,

visionary leadership, and

real threat of the

Cold War.

It’s a Different World

Page 32: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Lone Superpower

Different challenges

Economy

Terrorism

Energy

Climate Change

Different national agenda

Different

national status in the world

It’s a Different World

Page 33: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

But our values haven’t changed.

Page 34: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

1. To instill within ourselves these essential qualities of leadership in pursuit of technical and professional excellence...

Foundations of

Mission Operations

Page 35: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Discipline ...Being able to follow as well as to lead, knowing we must master ourselves before we can master our task.

Competence. ...There being no substitute for total preparation and complete dedication, for space will not tolerate the careless or indifferent.

Confidence ...Believing in ourselves as well as others, knowing t that we must master fear and hesitation before we can succeed.

Responsibility ...Realizing that it cannot be shifted to others, for it belongs to each of us; we must answer for what we do, or fail to do.

Toughness ...Taking a stand when we must; to try again, and again, even if it means following a more difficult path.

Teamwork ...Respecting and utilizing the abilities of others, realizing that we work toward a common goal, for success depends upon the efforts of all.

Vigilance ... Always attentive to the dangers of spaceflight; Never accepting success as a substitute for rigor in everything we do.

Page 36: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

2. To always be aware that suddenly and unexpectedly we may find ourselves in a role where our performance has ultimate consequences.

Foundations of

Mission Operations

Page 37: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

3. To recognize that the greatest error is not to have tried and failed, but that in the trying we do not give it our best effort.

Foundations of

Mission Operations

Page 38: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

We still have the

same drive to explore

to understand the universe

to seek out new challenges

to bring people together

to create the future

Creating the

Future

Page 39: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

But today we have the potential to take a new role as an agency and a country.

Today, we can

lead the world by facilitating involvement and participation (across all nations, generations, organizations, etc.) in the exploration of space.

Creating the

Future

Page 40: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

To do so, one place to start from is the bottom of the ladder.

Generation Y.

Creating the

Future

Page 41: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

(That’s YOU!) Creating

the Future

Page 42: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

(and us…) Creating

the Future

Page 43: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Engaging Generation Y isn’t all about

catering to young people.

It’s also about re-engaging all generations.

Creating the

Future

Page 44: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Engaging Generation Y is actively

creating the future instead of passively reacting to the present.

Creating the

Future

Page 45: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Engaging Generation Y is

setting the tone for positive change in the agency

by empowering employees to take control of

their own future.

Creating the

Future

Page 46: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

And there’s a ton of exciting things happening at NASA to do just that.

Creating the

Future

Page 47: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Current activities happening all over the agency are…

Creating new, innovative

opportunities for

growth

Current Activities

Page 48: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Current activities happening all over the agency are…

Utilizing emerging technologies

to increase

workforce effectiveness

and

technical competence.

Current Activities

Page 49: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Current activities happening all over the agency are…

Connecting the

NASA team Current

Activities

Page 50: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Current activities happening all over the agency are…

Sharing the

NASA story

Current Activities

Page 51: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Current activities happening all over the agency are…

Re-establishing and

Re-integrating

core values

Current Activities

Page 52: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

YOU will play a pivotal role in creating

NASA’s future.

It’s all

YOU YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU! YOU!

TU!

YOU!

YOU!

Not me!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

U!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

YOU!

Page 53: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

(So don’t blow it.) It’s all

YOU

Page 54: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Be patient. Message

to Gen Y

It will take time, energy, and relentless dedication to maintain and enhance the standards of excellence it will take to achieve our future missions.

But it will be worth it.

Page 55: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Learn Learn Learn. Message

to Gen Y

Learn all that you can from your mentors and peers. Approach learning with humility and grace. Challenge accepted assumptions to better understand WHY things are done a certain way before trying to change them.

Page 56: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Step up. Message

to Gen Y

Neither the United States nor NASA were built by passive acceptance, but by active involvement from passionate individuals dedicated to a common mission for the benefit of future generations. Honor their legacy by stepping up to the challenges of our time.

Page 57: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Make a difference. Message

to Gen Y

The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

- Alan Kay Computer Scientist

1971

Page 58: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

Message to

Gen Y Make a difference So what do you want to make?

Page 59: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.
Page 60: State Of The STEM Workforce in the U.S.

References [4-5] “The STEM Workforce Challenge: the Role of the Public Workforce System in a National Solution for a Competitive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workforce.” U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. (2007).

[6, 10] “Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future.” Committee on Prospering in the Global Economy of the 21st Century. (2007). Washington, DC:

National Academies Press.

[9] Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), PISA 2006 Results, http://www.oecd.org/

[20-24] “The State of the Next Generation of Explorers” by Garth Henning and Richard Leshner, NASA Office of

Program Analysis and Evaluation, 2006 (updated 2008).