STEM Skills Are Vital For Personal Growth and Economic Development

The U.S. has developed as a global leader, in large part, through the genius and hard work of its scientists, engineers, and innovators.

Many of those innovators came to the U.S. to pursue their dreams under the freedoms and opportunities provided by the U.S.'s emphasis on meritocracy.

Alexander Kartveli ventured out of his native Georgia fleeing the Bolsheviks. Leaving behind other family members, Kartveli, along with his mother, escaped turmoil and oppression to pursue a boyhood dream to design aircraft in the nascent field of aviation – an industry that resembled the freewheeling days of the early Internet.  In the U.S., he became one of the most important aviation engineers in U.S. history.

Kartveli (standing left) illustrates his aviation designs

In a world that’s becoming increasingly complex, where success is driven not only by what you know, but by what you can do with what you know, it’s more important than ever for our youth to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information. These are the types of skills that students learn by studying science, technology, engineering, and math—subjects collectively known as STEM.

All young people should be prepared to think deeply and to think well so that they have the chance to become the innovators, educators, researchers, and leaders who can solve the most pressing challenges facing our nation and our world, both today and tomorrow. But, right now, not enough of the world's youth have access to quality STEM learning opportunities and too few students see these disciplines as springboards for their careers.

In fact, future success in fostering a competitive economy and providing economic growth may depend on national policies that today emphasize STEM.

How do U.S. 15-year-olds compare with students from other countries in math and science?

The Kartveli Association is committed to STEM education and raising awareness of the life and accomplishments of Alexander Kartveli.