Background information on STEM education and Alka Tyle Economies today are driven by scientific and technological innovations.

It is these innovations that have historically led the US to prosperity and world leadership. Our children will not inherit this leadership and prosperity unless we equip them to outinnovate and out-compete other nations in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Excellent STEM education allows students to learn communication, collaboration, creativity, critical-thinking, and quantitative skills (district goal 4). These are transferrable to any career. Every student, irrespective of their career goals, benefits from STEM education. Math is the language of science, and the sooner a student gains proficiency in it, the better. The following statistics clearly show the importance of STEM education to your child's quality of life: The top 10 highest paid bachelors degrees in 2010 were in engineering and technology The mean wages for most STEM occupations are significantly above the US average Healthcare, technology, and technician jobs today are in demand, well-paying, require STEM skills, and a 2 year degree Only 29% of the ACT tested 2010 graduates are considered college-ready in science and only 43% are considered college-ready in math Only 17% of undergraduate degrees today are awarded in STEM fields, threatening US global leadership in innovations driven by technology and science There is a severe shortage of women and minorities working in STEM fields Alka Tyle is a Gregory parent and former school board member. She believes an excellent well-rounded education consists of: a strong core of English, math, science, and social studies learning global awareness, life, career, and media skills cultivating ones interests and talents in the arts and athletics Ms. Tyle founded the STEM-204 Group a year ago to increase awareness about STEM education in 204, to provide a forum for sharing resources and information, and to create a STEM community of parents, students, and staff who value excellence in STEM education. She is actively involved in many STEM initiatives in 204 and at the state level. Ms. Tyle believes that we urgently owe our students an excellent, comprehensive STEM education program, and that parent-led STEM support at each school (such as math night, science fairs, chess club, robotics competitions) can make a substantial and immediate impact on the quality of our children's education.