To get more students excited about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects as they head back to school, Texas Instruments (TI) teamed up with newly-retired Baltimore Raven John Urschel to kick-off the #GenSTEM contest.
The goal is to show today's generation of STEM students (#GenSTEM) that whatever they are in to, whether it's cooking or fashion or football, STEM is in it too.
John Urschel: Life after Football
The 6'3, 305-pound former lineman recently did the unexpected by hanging up his football cleats to focus on his growing family and mathematics full-time.
"I will always remember and cherish my days playing football, but I'm looking forward to focusing fully on pursuing my doctoral degree at MIT and being the best mathematician I can be," said Urschel.
Urschel added, "I'm excited to continue to work to inspire young people in STEM subjects like mathematics, showing them the many doors that this path can open for them."
Why "STEM" adds up
The case for STEM is clear. The number of U.S. jobs in STEM is growing about three times faster than non-STEM jobs, with a projected 9 million STEM jobs needing to be filled by 2022.
With only 18 percent of bachelor's degrees being received in STEM subjects, the country is not projected to graduate enough STEM professionals to meet the demand.
Get in the game
"If we can connect STEM concepts to the things that matter to students, the things they are already interested in, they will fall in love with them," said Peter Balyta, Ph.D., president of TI Education Technology.
"We are excited to team up with John Urschel to present math and science in new and unique ways that will help kids to understand the world around them and ignite a spark that can fuel real change."
