The path to future U.S. innovators starts with K-12 robotics

"The findings showed that 78% of 12th graders were not proficient in mathematics, with more students than ever falling below the math proficiency benchmarks established by the National Center for Education Statistics. This widening skills gap signals serious trouble ahead for the American workforce. As the future of work becomes increasingly dependent on STEM skills, we are failing to equip millions of students with the tools needed to succeed."

"Hands-on, team-based learning builds confidence, curiosity, and resilience in ways that traditional classroom instruction alone often cannot. The workforce implications of STEM learning experiences are significant, given that STEM roles are growing at roughly twice the rate of other jobs and typically pay more than double the national average wage."

"By 2030, the World Economic Forum projects that 170 million new jobs will be created globally, driven largely by advances in technology, data, and artificial intelligence. Preparing young people for this future is imperative."

The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress report reveals that 78% of 12th graders are not proficient in mathematics, representing a widening skills gap with serious implications for workforce development. As STEM roles grow at twice the rate of other jobs and command double the average wage, the nation faces a critical challenge in preparing students for a technology-driven future. Experiential STEM education through hands-on, team-based learning builds confidence, curiosity, and resilience more effectively than traditional instruction. The World Economic Forum projects 170 million new technology-driven jobs globally by 2030, making STEM education investment essential. Despite political divisions on education policy, governors across party lines increasingly recognize that investing in STEM education directly invests in America's economic future.

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