MIT launches national push to strengthen STEM teaching, from K-12 to community college

MIT President Sally Kornbluth announced a new initiative on Oct. 6 aimed at improving science, math and technology education across the country, from kindergarten through community college.

Called MIT for America, the effort is led by Claudia Urrea, who also heads MIT's pK-12 Initiative, with professors Eric Klopfer and Cynthia Breazeal as faculty co-directors, according to MIT News.

Three focus areas

• Math and problem solving. This builds on a calculus project started about a year ago in which MIT students and alumni volunteer as tutors. MIT notes that only about half of U.S. school districts offer calculus.
• Living and working with AI. Teacher training through MIT RAISE, whose Day of AI drew about 1 million students this year, and PATH, a partnership with Georgia State University launched Oct. 1 to bring AI training to two- and four-year colleges.
• Designing and making. Hands-on learning through fab labs and makerspaces, including the Fab Foundation's network of 300 U.S. labs, and MIT's Regenerative Futures Challenge for climate solutions.

Why now

MIT cites figures showing that only 29% of U.S. high school students build circuits and just 6% enroll in computer science, even though about 60% of high schools offer it.

Leaders say the programs are meant to grow while keeping direct, in-person support for students and teachers.

What's not yet clear

The announcement does not give funding amounts, targets for how many students or teachers will be reached, or a public application process for schools. More information is posted at foramerica.mit.edu.