Abstract for: Exploring Models of Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Engineering (STEM) Education in the United States - Part B

Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to engage in a guided exploration of three system dynamics models related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the United States. The purpose of the Sandia model is to explore the many feedback loops influencing the attractiveness of a STEM career. The purpose of the SimBlox model is to study the changing age demographics of the Principal Investigator pool funded by the National Institutes of Health. The purpose of the Boeing model is to represent the dynamic hypothesis for the feared decline of both prosperity and the engineering-scientific enterprise in the U.S., as discussed in the 2007 National Academies report “Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future.” At least one-third of the workshop will be devoted to interactive learning activities where the modelers discuss the constraints and challenges modeling the U.S. education system and the participants share their experience, knowledge and ideas to improve the models.