Survey: Teens Prepared for STEM Careers

Good news! Teens aren't giving up on STEM careers! On the contrary, the latest Lemelson-MIT Invention Index found that they are rather interested in them. What they seem to long for, however, are role models in these domains. Regardless, their attitude toward STEM-related jobs bodes well for the country's future success on the international scene. Take a look at the following MIT press release for more interesting highlights from the survey:

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. -- American teens are embracing the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with increasingly positive attitudes; yet many lack the necessary encouragement from mentors and role models in these fields, according to this year's Lemelson-MIT Invention Index. The annual survey, which gauges Americans' perceptions about invention and innovation, also reveals teens' altruistic intentions and feelings of preparedness to pursue careers in STEM fields.

Teens reveal STEM optimism and altruistic motives

The 2009 Lemelson-MIT Invention Index found an overwhelming majority of teens surveyed expressed interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with "curiosity about the way things work" as the driving factor for their interest.

Of those teens expressing interest in these areas of study, most would be motivated to work in related fields out of altruistic versus materialistic motives: more than half of teens selected "protecting the environment" or "improving our society" as their inspiration.

Less than one-fifth said they were motivated to pursue science, technology, engineering or mathematics for the purposes of becoming rich or famous.

Not only did the majority of teens convey interest in STEM, but 80 percent also feel their schools have prepared them to pursue a career in these fields, should they choose.

Need for STEM role models

Despite interest and feelings of preparedness, nearly two-thirds of teens indicated that they may be discouraged from pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics because they do not know anyone who works in these fields or understand what people in these fields do.

Leigh Estabrooks, an invention education officer with the Lemelson-MIT Program, said, "If teens feel discouraged from pursuing a career in STEM, society may be deprived of emerging problem solvers and thought leaders to address pressing issues.

The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam initiative is one way schools can serve as vehicles to introduce mentors and role models into the process."