STEM-Views: Jeanne Contardo

Name: Jeanne Contardo              

Title: Director of Programs         

Organization: Business-Higher Education Forum

1) What do you believe is the most pressing issue in STEM education today?

I believe the misalignment of student career interests, their academic proficiency, and future job openings will be the big issue to address in the 21^st century around STEM education.  The data don’t lie, and when we look across the board at what students say they’re interested in and where our workforce will be over the next couple of decades, the numbers don’t match up.  This is particularly true in STEM fields.  If we don’t change the perception of STEM education among students and their parents, and if we fail to better link education and the workforce, we will never meet this country’s economic goals.

2) How does your work impact STEM education?

One of BHEF’s key initiatives focuses on STEM, and has the specific goal of doubling the number of STEM college graduates by 2015 through strengthening the mathematics and science teaching workforce and pursuing promising strategies to strengthen the education pipeline that leads to STEM careers.  The other key initiative focuses on improving college readiness, access, and success, and works with business and higher education leaders to address regional education challenges—many of which are STEM-centered.  Through these initiatives, I work to equip BHEF’s members—Fortune 500 CEO's, college and university presidents, and select foundation leaders—with the tools, strategies, and information they need to lead systemic and sustained education improvement efforts.

3) What do you think is the most important part of a successful STEM curriculum?

We know that students who succeed in math are also more likely to succeed in post-secondary education.  We also know that the majority of students who take the ACT in 12^th grade don’t meet the college readiness benchmark in math.  While I believe the best STEM curriculum will be real-world, problem-based, and interdisciplinary to help improve interest, we also have to help students achieve basic skills if they’re going to be successful in STEM fields, including math, science, English, and reading.

4) What STEM profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?

When I was in high school, I worked in a pharmacy and often thought about becoming a pharmacy tech to work my way through college.  I loved the chemistry behind all of the prescriptions and thinking about how seemingly simple combinations could produce dramatic effects—sometimes I use the same philosophy in trying to bring about education improvement!