AN INTRODUCTION
Stem education is branching out
It's long been tough to make it in the world without being able to read. But these days, it's also difficult to make it without some knowledge of the fields known as STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

What is STEM?
Simply put, STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Is America doing enough?
Is the nation graduating enough scientists and engineers to fuel the nation's economic and security needs? Is the country relying too heavily on foreign nationals to do STEM-related work?

Universities adjusting to meet new demands
While universities still grant standard degrees in mathematics, physics and biology, offerings have expanded to include degrees such as industrial microbiology, applied systematics and human-computer interaction.

Colleges debate which STEM courses for all
On college campuses, a debate is under way to decide what sort of instruction to offer the non-STEM student.

Lack of diversity part of equation in STEM fields
Nationwide, there is a push for more women and underrepresented minorities to choose STEM fields.

Universities trying to improve retention statistics
Students majoring in STEM fields tend to struggle because high schools haven't prepared them well enough for college, some observers believe.

Push is on to invest in nation's future
Federal and state governments have begun to put money into STEM education.

Businesses stepping up in a supporting role
U.S. businesses are pooling resources to ramp-up production of an important commodity: Scientifically literate Americans.

Global economy could leave U.S. on short end in technical fields
In today's global economy, engineers and information specialists from emerging nations increasingly are in demand, and many graduating students are returning to their own homelands.

STEM sites
Here's a sampling of Web sites aimed at encouraging education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the STEM fields.