Science Center Releases STEM Study Findings

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The Carnegie Science Center just released the results of a study it commissioned.

The focus was on STEM- science, technology, engineering, and math education.

The Carnegie Science Center is doing more than just keeping kids interested in all things science.

Recently, it commissioned a study on our region's attitudes, and perceptions about STEM education, which is science, technology, engineering, and math.

"We live and breathe STEM education every single day here at the Science Center and we wanted to take a step back and see what the broader community thought about STEM education in general," Ann Metzger said.

That's where this study, which was conducted by Campos Research Strategy, comes in.

For the report, educators, business leaders, and parents in Allegheny and the surrounding counties were interviewed and surveyed.

The results were announced today at the Science Center before a room of local educators.

"What we see, is that the corporate community is really interested in STEM education and sees that as the clear path to the future economic growth of the region and workforce development and the parents aren't necessarily getting the message about STEM education very clearly," Metzger said.

"The corporations here, the educational community are working hard and what we're trying to do at the science center is to bring them together," Ron Baillie said.

The ultimate goal is to encourage students to continue learning math and science, which will lead to job and career opportunities.

"Right now, if you get on the Imagine Pittsburgh website, from the Allegheny Conference, you'll find 12,000 open positions in various STEM careers, everything from skilled, skilled welders and plumbers to four-year degree civil engineers and computer programmers," Baillie said.