STEM Education and the Race to the Future

Posted by Jeff Meisner
Editor, Microsoft on the Issues

Microsoft’s Innovation and Policy Center hosted a widely attended panel focused on STEM Education and the Race to the Future on Thursday in our Washington, D.C office.

The <“@Microsoft> Conversation” featured National Governors Association Education Division Director Richard Laines, IBM Vice President for Governmental Programs Christopher Padilla, Computer Science Teachers Association Executive Director Chris Stephenson and Microsoft Education Policy and Program Director Allyson Knox. 

CSTA’s Chris Stephenson, NGA’s Richard Laines, and Microsoft’s Allyson Knox participated in the panel regarding the need for STEM education.

The event was moderated by STEM Education Coalition Executive Director James Brown, and Microsoft Vice President for U.S. Government Affairs Fred Humphries provided welcome remarks. More than 150 participants attended the event, including audience members from education-focused non-profits, think tanks, as well as the public and private sectors.

Microsoft was pleased to host the event to drive awareness of the current shortage of individuals with the skills needed to fill the new jobs the private sector is creating and to highlight solutions to help solve these challenges. Panelists also noted that too few American students are achieving the levels of education in science, technology, education and math (STEM) disciplines necessary to secure jobs in innovation-related industries.

Building on Microsoft’s National Talent Strategy released in September, the event explored solutions to strengthen our education system particularly in STEM-related fields while boosting U.S. competitiveness and innovation.

Following the event, Microsoft had the opportunity to connect with National Governor’s Association Education Division Director Richard Laines:

We also had the chance to connect with IBM Vice President for Government Programs Chris Padilla:

Microsoft’s Innovation and Policy Center staff also spoke with Computer Science Teacher Association Executive Director Chris Stephenson:

Missed the event but want to learn more? For more on Microsoft’s National Talent Strategy proposal, click here, read Microsoft Executive Vice President and General Counsel Brad Smith’s recent Brookings Institution speech regarding the National Talent Strategy here, and participate in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag, #STEMedu

Editor's Note: This blog post was updated with new information on Nov. 19.