STEM, the acronym, represents the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the most important skills in today’s tech workforce. Want to learn more about STEM? Here are some fascinating STEM facts and figures.

Discover Cool STEM Facts And Figures

So we have an idea of what STEM is, but it’s also important to understand why STEM is important and how STEM education came to be. Here are some facts that highlight these points.

Why is STEM so important?

  1. STEM education is so important because there is a dire need for people with STEM skills in the workforce. Science and technology are becoming a bigger and bigger part of our lives. These STEM stats show that the fastest growing and highest paying careers are STEM fields.
  2. STEM education is not only about technical skills! One of the key elements of Stem is problem solving which helps fosters skills such as critical thinking, creativity, independence, and confidence. Check out the best homeschool STEM curriculum.
  3. STEM education can also promote social skills. Working on a STEM problem in a group promotes teamwork. Defending an approach to a STEM problem promotes public speaking and discussion skills.
  4. Not only is STEM education important, but it's also fun and interesting! According to a global survey conducted by Cambridge University in the UK, math is the most popular subject in students aged 12-19.
  5. It’s also really important to start STEM education early! According to a study from UC Irvine, developing math skills early leads to future academic success in all subjects.

Who invented STEM?

  1. Advanced STEM education in the US can be traced back to the Morrill Act of 1862 that established “land grant” institutions that received federal funding to advance agricultural science. Kansas State University, founded in 1863, was the first land grant institution.
  2. The demand for military related engineering for World War II and the Cold War led to increased funding and attention towards STEM related programs, eventually leading to the moon landing in 1969.
  3. The actual STEM acronym was originally SMET! In 2001, National Science Foundation biologist and Director of Education for the NSF at the time Judith Ramaley rearranged the letters to form the acronym we know today.
  4. STEM education really began to gain attention after a troubling 2005 report from the US National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine titled Rising Above the Gathering Storm emphasized the importance of STEM education to make the US economy more competitive globally. This report also coincided with historically low scores in math and science testing when compared to other advanced countries.
  5. Nowadays one may see the acronym “STEAM” also used - this acronym stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Advocates for STEAM education claim that incorporating art into a STEM curriculum promotes a more well rounded education. Many schools have incorporated a STEAM curriculum.

What is STEM mostly about? - Addressing myths of STEM careers

  1. “Science” covers a broad range of subjects, not just crazy chemistry experiments! According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, some interesting STEM job titles that fall under its “Life, Physical, and Social Science” jobs include astronomers, food scientists, forensic technicians (aka: detectives), and zoologists! (note that social sciences are not traditionally considered “STEM”)
  2. Math is more than just multiplication tables and solving equations. The math we think of the most is known as “computation”, following steps to reach a known outcome. More advanced mathematics involves proofs or applying formal math concepts to real world problems. Advanced math papers have a lot more words than numbers! Also, behind the scenes of a lot of cutting age AI Technology - is math!
  3. Since we discussed STEAM earlier, we should explore the many intersections between engineering and art. Have you always stared in awe at cool looking buildings? Do you want to design your own? Architecture is a unique field that combines engineering and art. Due to its interdisciplinary nature and emphasis on designing safe structures, an architecture undergraduate degree traditionally takes 4 years to complete rather than 5. Many fields in engineering involve a creativity aspect that art can help with.
  4. Another crossover between engineering and art is in user interface (UI) design. These are the people that design where buttons, text, and photos are in websites and apps. While UI designers must have an artistic sense of what looks good, they also know what makes an easy to use interface. Many UI designers also have coding skills or directly work with the developers who create our favorite webpages!
  5. An overlooked career in STEM is to teach STEM! One reason why the STEM teacher shortage is especially pronounced is because most STEM graduates are lured to more lucrative careers than teaching. Sadly, the shortage in STEM teachers is worse for schools with lower resources. To illustrate this shortage, there are 6,000 physics majors nationwide, but 30,000 physics teacher openings.

The Future of STEM: Emerging Fields and Career Opportunities

The STEM landscape is constantly evolving, and new fields are emerging that offer exciting career opportunities. Here's a glimpse into some of the most promising and innovative areas in STEM:

Bioinformatics

Combining biology, computer science, and statistics, bioinformatics focuses on analyzing massive biological datasets, such as complex genetic sequences and DNA structures. This field plays an indispensable role in modern medicine, accelerating drug discovery and paving the way for highly customized personalized medicine.

Because bioinformatics heavily relies on data analysis and automation, mastering programming is the ultimate first step. Students can build a strong foundation for this interdisciplinary field by taking Create & Learn's Python for AI classes and progressing to advanced Data Science with Python courses to learn how to manipulate, clean, and draw insights from complex datasets.

Quantum Computing

Quantum computing leverages the mind-bending principles of quantum mechanics—such as superposition and entanglement—to perform calculations that are virtually impossible for classical computers. This revolutionary technology is set to redefine what is computationally solvable across multiple global industries.

Quantum Computing Quick Facts:

  • Core Mechanism: Uses quantum bits (qubits) instead of traditional binary bits (0s and 1s).
  • Key Impact Areas: Advanced cryptography, molecular modeling for drug discovery, global logistics optimization, and weather forecasting.
  • Prerequisite Skills: Linear algebra, physics, and advanced algorithm design.

Environmental Engineering

As concerns about climate change, ecosystem degradation, and sustainable resource management continue to escalate, environmental engineering has emerged as one of the most critical STEM professions. This field focuses on developing engineering technologies and strategies to protect public health and restore our planet's natural ecosystems.

They design systems to treat waste, clean up contaminated soil and water, control air pollution, and develop sustainable renewable energy infrastructure. Success in this field requires a solid understanding of chemistry, fluid dynamics, ecology, and data analysis. Students can start by learning how to analyze environmental data or model ecosystems using foundational programming and scientific inquiry tools

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming the global workforce by enabling computer systems to analyze data, recognize patterns, and make automated decisions. From powering self-driving cars to generating creative artwork and driving clinical research, these technologies are the foundation of modern digital innovation.

If your child is eager to transition from being a passive consumer of technology to an active creator, they can start their journey today. Check out Create & Learn's live, interactive AI Explorers classes for elementary and middle schoolers to learn computer vision and neural network concepts, or dive deeper with the hands-on AI Creators pathway designed to teach teens how to build and train their very own AI models using Python.

Space Exploration and Colonization

Recent breakthroughs in aerospace technology, commercial rocketry, and satellite systems are opening up new horizons for exploration, research, and long-term space colonization. Career opportunities in this field extend far beyond being an astronaut; they include designing autonomous rovers, modeling Martian habitats, and developing communication systems for deep-space missions.

Fuel your child's passion for the cosmos by enrolling them in Create & Learn's live online NASA STEM Club, where kids explore the mysteries of outer space through hands-on science projects. Be sure to also check out our free space-related expert events and live panels featuring real aerospace professionals!

Explore more computer science trends.

STEM Facts And Figures In 2026

With these STEM facts and figures you now have a better understanding of the world of STEM. STEM is more than the technical skills but also encompasses the soft skills. STEM has a long and interesting history. There are STEM jobs that cater to all sorts of skill sets.

Now that you know more about STEM and its importance, your child can gain more experience with STEM through Create & Learn’s award-winning online free coding classes and some of the best online STEM classes for kids. Start with our most popular beginner class that introduces kids to essential coding concepts while building cool games, Scratch coding.