Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), previously Math, Engineering, Technology, and Science (METS) is the academic discipline of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.[1] This term is typically used when addressing education policy and curriculum choices in schools, to improve competitiveness in science and technology development. It has implications for workforce development, national security concerns and immigration policy.[1] Education systems and schools play a central role in determining girls' and boys' interest in STEM subjects and in providing equal opportunities to access and benefit from quality STEM education.[2]

The acronym arose in common use shortly after an interagency meeting science education held at the US National Science Foundation chaired by the then NSF director Rita Colwell.[3] A director from the Office of Science division of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists, Peter Faletra, suggested the change from the older acronym METS to STEM. Colwell, expressing some dislike for the older acronym, responded by suggesting NSF to institute the change. One of the first NSF projects to use the acronym was STEMTEC, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Teacher Education Collaborative at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which was funded in 1998.[4]