Back in the day, people wished to have flying cars and hoverboards that the movie Back to the Future II had placed in one’s imagination. Well, the year 2015 is here, and why have we not seen those yet?
The decline in the amount of scientists and engineers has brought concerns to the future of the United States.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) have become major focuses of the U.S. Department of Education in the recent decade as the amount of STEM qualified workers has declined. U.S. students scored 23rd in science and 30th in math on an international benchmark test given to 65 countries, according to the 2012 Program for International Student Assessment.

Glenn Hancock, STEM coordinator in Rockwood, has been working on integrating STEM into the Rockwood curriculum since July 1, 2014. The STEM coordinator became a new role as Rockwood put more weight on STEM education.

“The goal of STEM is to learn about the natural connections that exist between Science, Technology, Engineering and Math,” Hancock said.

Hancock works to spread the development of STEM through the district by engaging students in activities like STEM Nights and after-school clubs.

Recently, Rockwood received an Innovative Technology Education Fund grant of $69,649. The grant will fund the old Mobile Science RV that ran out of funds four years ago. The plan is to turn the RV into a Mobile Innovation Center, Hancock said.

“This would provide one portable, central location for the high tech equipment,” Hancock said. “The Mobile Innovation Center would allow for early exposure and access to STEM education to elementary students.”

The Innovation Center will be equipped with 3D Printers, computers with modeling and design software, robotics equipment and Makerspace tools.

For the revival of the Mobile Innovation Center, the students taking Project Lead the Way courses, the collection of engineering courses, at Lafayette will design plans for the new RV and plan some lessons for th Innovation Center, Hancock said.

Project Lead the Way also provides opportunities for STEM education in schools. These classes start as early as middle school where students can experiment with their interest in STEM fields. High school offers a larger selection A larger selection of courses is present, from computer science to engineering to biomedical sciences.

Kevin Sharitz, a Project Lead the Way teacher, supports Rockwood’s actions.

“The STEM Nights show kids what we can do,” Sharitz said. “The activities show the kids variety and opportunities.”

STEM Nights are held at elementary schools, and are to foster STEM interest and engagement at a young age.

Rockwood promotes STEM tremendously in high school as well; the support in STEM activities is apparent in the success of the robotics teams this year, placing top in State and qualifying for super-regionals, Sharitz said.

Alexander Terry, freshman, said STEM should be given more focus in high schools.

“STEM is the path to the future and I definitely want to be part of it,” Terry said.