Tulsa World Editorial: STEM take a $3 million step forward in Oklahoma
By World’s Editorial Writers
Science, technology, engineering and math — the so-called STEM skills — are the pathways to a more prosperous future for individuals and the community.
The local effort to encourage students to pursue STEM studies got a big push forward Monday. The American Electric Power Foundation and Tulsa Community College announced a $3 million grant to encourage Tulsa Public Schools students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math courses.
The Credit Count program will prepare thousands of TPS students to take college-level STEM classes and earn college credit while in high school.
The five-year program will begin at Will Rogers College High School next year and eventually expand to four high schools and feeder middle schools.
It’s well established that students who pursue STEM studies will be doing themselves and the community a favor. STEM jobs were responsible for an estimated $15.2 billion in gross regional product in the state during 2012 and in the next 10 years, the number of STEM jobs are expected to grow twice as fast as employment in other fields.
By 2024, Oklahoma is forecast to have 188,619 STEM-related jobs, but the state’s college and universities haven’t been producing qualified graduates fast enough to fill the need.
Gov. Mary Fallin, who was part of Monday’s announcement, has emphasized STEM training for four years, and we see Monday’s announcement as strong evidence that her efforts are catching hold.
We thank Public Service Company of Oklahoma and the charitable foundation of its parent company, American Electric Power, for the generous investment in Oklahoma’s future, and we encourage TPS students to pursue the opportunities offered in the program for their own future prosperity and that of Oklahoma.