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- The average median hourly wage for STEM jobs is $38.85.
- The US placed 38th of 71 countries in math; 24th in science.
- 74% of middle school girls express an interest in engineering, science, and math.
- Women make up only 18% of computer science undergrads.
- Girls’ interest in STEM peaks in middle school, but drops off in high school.

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People would often think they should argue for literacy skills to be the focus in schooling because it involves creativity. However, most of the time Language Arts classes aren't free writing. Children are given claims and texts and told to write an essay on something they may not even care about. On the other hand, in math and science, students can be creative in their way of thinking and problem solving. They may have different methods of solving a difficult problem, or may discover new formulas in high-school chemistry.

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MATH AND SCIENCE SKILLS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS TO FOSTER ADULT SUCCESS IN LIFE

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MATH AND SCIENCE SKILLS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS TO FOSTER ADULT SUCCESS IN LIFE

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According to the Global Partnership for Education, "Students apply what they learn in class to address critical needs in their community... As students take an active role in their community, they learn from early age the necessary skills of teamwork, creativity, and self-confidence to lead positive change throughout their adult life."

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There is a big gap between the rich, middle class, and poor. STEM provides an opportunity for lower class students to succeed.

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According to Education Post, "Nearly 80 percent of all new jobs created nationwide over the next decade will require STEM skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, perseverance and experimentation."

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According to Education Post, "After-school and summer learning programs are an important place for our nation’s youth to gain these skills, especially youth from low-income households and girls, who have too often been left out of the STEM economy... The power of STEM learning goes beyond academics and careers. It can be lifesaving... Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan made this point earlier this year, saying STEM is one way to give kids a vision of life beyond violence.“We have to give kids exposure,” Duncan said. “We have to give them a glimpse into what exists outside of their block or their neighborhood.” ".

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Science and math skills are crucial for children's development and minds.

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According to Global Partnership for Education, "Teaching mathematics is helpful for many other skills, such as implementing mathematical logic, analytical reading of texts, arguing, validating and correcting an approach, mathematical modeling, organization and data management, project management, personal and collective finance, and entrepreneurial development." These skills are essential to kids' lives. If the focus wasn't on math and science skills, children would be lacking all of this.

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Education Post says "Many of these young people face barriers to pursuing STEM careers from an early age.Consider that the wealthiest 20 percent of families devote almost seven times the resources to their children’s enrichment activities outside school than do the poorest 20 percent.
This leads to a significant learning and opportunity gap.". Many young people from lower classes have difficulty being educated in STEM. Almost all jobs require STEM skills, so by funding math and science classes and STEM opportunities, schools can give lower-class youth the chance to succeed in life by starting out obtaining a good job that furthers their STEM skills.

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According to Global Partnership for Education, "Teaching sciences and technology can help with creativity, development of a scientific culture, analytical research, logical suites (observation, questioning, experimentation, argumentation, production, practical achievements, concrete evaluation). It can also have an impact on society, through for example, the protection of the environment."