Science, Technical, Engineering, Math (STEM) Education Building Alliances in Southern California Alan Baca San Diego Chapter, NDIA Alan.baca@am.jll.com
Why NDIA is Concerned Nationwide, 25% of the defense industry technical workforce is eligible to retire in the next 5 years There aren t enough STEM graduates coming out of U.S. Universities to replace them Particularly a problem in Southern California High concentration of defense and high tech businesses California s defense industry must address several issues simultaneously: STEM graduates to sustain workforce Affordable housing Business climate
The Issue National (2005) DoD (2006) Civilian AT&L Workforce (2006) Generation Silent Generation (born before 1946) Baby Boomers (1946-64) Generation X (1965-76) Generation Y (1977-89) Millennium (1990- present) Workforce (millions) % % Workforce Workforce Workforce Workforce 11.5 7.5% 45,625 6.7% 8,322 7.4% % Workforce 61.5 42.0% 438,971 64.5% 77,779 68.7% 43.5 29.5% 132,948 19.5% 17,581 15.5% 31.5 21.0% 62,676 9.2% 9,394 8.3% 51.0 0% 153 0% 0 0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
NDIA National View #2 National Issue National level conference July, 2007 Charter Science & Technology Workforce Division Address at DoD, congressional and corporate HQ level Task chapters to address locally with focused STEM Education Committees It is critical to our National Security to create a continuous supply of quality, clearable STEM workers in order to sustain our National Security supremacy and economic competitiveness
Why it Matters to San Diego San Diego s hi tech growth strategy depends on it Clean industries, higher education, S&T all depend on steady supply of STEM graduates Defense industry is important for balanced regional growth 20%-25% 25% of local economy SPAWAR and SSC San Diego (>4,000 employees) share demographics and recruiting issues with defense industry Tough place to get young people to work
Any Number of Causes. Technical careers not attractive to college graduates? Defense industry not attractive to STEM graduates? STEM majors not attractive to college students? Children not motivated to learn science and math? Teachers not prepared to teach science and math? Too few qualified science & math teachers? So what is the NDIA doing about it?
Conceptual Framework For STEM Discussions Elementary School Middle School High School Undergraduate Graduate School Government and Industry Employment STEM Initiatives Excite Attract Build a Foundation Educate and Assist Recruit Train Retain Continually Monitor and Assess STEM Initiatives Time Focusing on Specific Phases Clarifies Objectives
San Diego STEM Strategy Goal: Focus on the Excite and Attract phases of the Conceptual Framework Collaborate with CSA/California Space Education Workforce Institute (CSEWI) to leverage their STEM Inventory what s out there? Educate local defense industry about existing STEM initiatives and how they can help Financial support Volunteer support Select two or three high payoff STEM education initiatives for focused San Diego Chapter support Engage local universities to highlight defense industry opportunities Educate regional political leadership about defense industry s situation
San Diego NDIA STEM Committee Includes a range of organizations committed to improving interest and proficiency in STEM education, from grade school through college Local Local NDIA members California Space Education & Workforce Institute SPAWARSYSCOM & SPAWARSYSCEN AFCEA AFCEA San Diego Chapter San San Diego Military Advisory Council Women Women in Defense UC UC San Diego, SDSU, Mesa College, Point Loma Nazarene San San Diego Air & Space Museum The The San Diego Women s Foundation College College Career Technical Education San San Diego Science Alliance Sally Sally Ride Science Committee has become open forum for exchanging ideas, establishing partnerships
San Diego STEM Status Report NDIA has identified dozens of STEM-related initiatives in the region/state. In cooperation with CSEWI, NDIA has developed a website for a STEM Initiative Inventory. The STEM Committee has evaluated and entered several initiatives into the STEM Inventory website in hopes of creating a system for r increased exposure to these programs. NDIA has committed to supporting three programs: San Diego Science Alliance s Middle School Science Education Leadership Initiative (MSSELI). Space Day at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Cyber Defense Challenge (Organic program started in fall 2007 by NDIA member SAIC). NDIA is sponsoring the awards banquet and will hopefully facilitate a larger group of competitors that can create the same e program virtually for high schools in other NDIA Chapters. NDIA is taking steps to create a program for it s member companies to volunteer (time, money or resources) in any amount their schedule or budget t permits in an effective way to meet the NDIA and Defense industry goals. Chapter website page to provide single source of information for r members (under construction) NDIA has put on the first of several planned quarterly/semi-annual annual mixers to get non profit organizations/ STEM initiatives together with NDIA member mber companies to familiarize them with what programs are out there and a potentially make matches.
Questions? San Diego High Tech High Students Nick Estorga and Adrian Feral participate in a recent Cyber Defense Challenge competition at SAIC. From Left to Right: Jeff Remmel, Associate Dean of Physical Sciences Division, USCD, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, Dean Mark Thiemens, Physical Sciences Division, UCSD, Chapter President Gerry Nifontoff and Terry McKearney.