While STEM education has been widely recognized as a critical determinant of innovation and economic competitiveness around the world, many opportunities still exist to make STEM education more relevant, engaging, and effective for students. There is growing recognition that directly applying STEM knowledge and training can enable students to have a tangible impact on some of the most pressing concerns facing the world today. To that end, an increasing number of educators, NGO leaders, and government officials are using attempts to solve "grand challenges" as models for applying STEM education in new ways. These grand challenges range from providing access to clean water to making solar energy more economical, and allow students to boost their job prospects and realize the necessity of STEM degrees in our world today. How can STEM education become even more relevant and attract those from the most marginalized and underrepresented populations? This panel will explore how STEM education can simultaneously prepare students for both the jobs of tomorrow and solve the grand challenges of the 21st century.
