This week, highlights in STEM news shift the focus off of the United States, and consider how science, technology, engineering and mathematics education is affecting the global knowledge economy.

When it comes to initiatives in the U.S., reports and studies suggest some healthy competition can provide the spark the STEM needs to take off, and more innovative and immersive programs are needed to engage American students and keep the U.S. a major player in the STEM game.

Study Suggests STEM Professionals Migrating Away From U.S.

A new study from LinkedIn, Stanford University, and other institutions examined LinkedIn users' work histories (placing a focus on computer, mathematics, engineering and architecture fields), and found the probability of STEM workers migrating to the U.S. dropped from 37% to 15% between 2000 and 2012.

The study suggests numerous causes for the plunge in numbers, including the 2008 financial crisis and strict U.S. immigration laws. Shobana Radhakrishnan, the vice president of engineering at Mindflash, predicts that "as nations in Asia develop more robust STEM infrastructure, fewer professionals will opt to pick up and travel to the U.S."

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Tech and Education Activist Advocates STEM As Crucial to Future in Africa

An op-ed written by Marieme Jamme, and published by The Huffington Post, examined reasons why the African continent needs to begin insisting the population receives a solid STEM education.

"Currently in Africa, most STEM jobs are performed by or outsourced to multinationals from China, India and the U.S.," Jamme writes. "Thousands of Americans and Chinese are working annually in Africa in high skilled STEM jobs that are reducing African ingenuity."

Jamme calls for African government to refine education policies, and improve Africa's position in the "globally competitive knowledge economy."

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New Study Finds Engagement Through Competition Essential to STEM Growth

According to a new report from the National Center for Analysis, encouraging competition in STEM fields could bring out the best in schools, teachers and students.

"Developing a rigorous vetting process for talented teachers and opening up school choice options are paramount to engaging students in [STEM]," the report suggests. STEM engagement is key to encouraging economic growth and securing America's competitive advantage.

Research Fellow Lloyd Bentsen IV proposes engaging students by eliminating lecture-only classes, opening up school choice to allow students to connect with their best learning fit, and using free-market principles to improve teacher quality and pay.

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Delaware Nature Society Awarded $50,000 For STEM Enhancement

A grant given to the Delaware Nature Society by the 3MGives Foundation will allow a program called the Outdoor STEM Pathways to Green Schools to add an outdoor curriculum in classrooms.

"Students will now have some experience in their school communities and understand a little more about the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, which they live in," said Helen Fishel, associate director of educational programs at the Delaware Nature Society.

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NEF Cyberlearning awards first STEM+ grant in Texas

NEF Cyberlearning will launch a STEM+ academy in January 2015 in the DeSoto Independent School District in Texas. The academy's vision is to help DeSoto students meet and exceed state standards.

"The U.S. is falling behind globally in STEM education," said NEF Chariman, Dr. Appy Kuttan. "To solve our serious STEM worker shortage problem and help the U.S. maintain its global economic and technology leadership, we need to set up world-class STEM programs in our schools."

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Email editor[at]educationworld.com your STEM news!

Compiled by Samantha DiMauro. Education World Contributor

12/30/2014