According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. STEM scholarships are college scholarships for students who are majoring in those fields of study. There are a wide variety of STEM degrees, including majors in pharmacy, biology, computer programming, business, healthcare, social sciences and engineering.
 
In order for the United States to remain competitive in the international market, we must encourage science education in schools. Interest in science can be developed at a middle school level and continue into high school, and STEM can help. The STEM Pipeline Fund is a science education program that has been set in place to create programs that increase student interest in STEM. 
 
The STEM Pipeline fund also offers STEM scholarships. These programs can begin as early as elementary school. Most programs are led by a STEM ambassador or someone who currently works in a STEM career. Children placed in these programs visit local businesses, where they can participate in real-life situations. STEM programs also offer career conferences that highlight many STEM careers. The conferences allow local companies that offer STEM-related jobs to present information about their business in a booth. Children get to speak with potential employers and receive an explanation on what each job entails.
 
STEM also offers summer camps for middle and high school students. Children in these STEM education programs engage in entertaining, hands-on activities that develop awareness about careers in STEM fields. According to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, nearly 77 percent of all students who attended these camps rated the activities as fun.
 
Middle and high school science teachers can encourage these programs, and make sure students know that they exist. Teachers can also provide hands-on activities in the classroom to spark an interest in STEM subjects. Educators can also encourage applications for STEM scholarships in college so more children have a chance at a quality STEM education. The earlier children are taught that these opportunities exist, the sooner they will be able to develop skills for and an interest in future employment in science, technology, engineering and math.