RackSpace has produced an interesting infographic explaining why STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) eduction is important and what you can do to encourage it.

There is no argument, or there should be no argument, that STEM subjects are harder than the majority of non-STEM subjects and this is the reason students tend to avoid them. We can speculate that many who do avoid STEM are capable of mastering it if the conditions were right.

This infographic provides information on why it is worth making the effort - half the unemployment rate, more pay and the ability to drive innovation. It also outlines some of the problems - mainly the lack of good teachers.

If you click on the small extract above and view the entire infographic then you will learn that things do seem to be getting a little better.  More students are taking math and chemistry courses and more women are getting into science. 

It finishes with a look at what you can do to help. It points out that just short of 40% of STEM graduates have a parent in STEM. This suggests that we should all work to learn new maths and science and attempt to supplement the STEM content in our children's education and outlook. In this age of the MOOC there really is no excuse for you not to know more than your average science teacher and do a better job. When it comes to the future of STEM it looks as if the solution might be DIY.

As RackSpace suggests you need to take a look at some of the initiatives in your area - and on the internet - and join in as an individual or a company.

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