Technology and engineering, both critical dimensions of our global economy and society, require mastery in science and advanced math.

The good news: STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) occupations are expected to grow 17 percent in 2008-2018, versus 9.8 percent for non-STEM jobs, and earn 26 percent higher wages.

The bad news: An estimated 3 million STEM-related jobs remain unfilled because of learning and skills gaps.

The U.S. Defense Department has even identified the growing shortage of American engineers as a crisis that threatens our national security.

In the U.S., education reform efforts of the past 30 years, focused largely on reading and basic math, have mostly ignored science and such advanced math topics as algebra, geometry and calculus. Furthermore, the middle and high schools overlook many students’ latent talent in these areas.

While a seventh-grade algebra whiz, for example, would probably be steered into advanced high school math, physics and chemistry, struggling classmates would be ushered into a less challenging sequence. Once on the wrong path, affected kids don’t see the way up, and learning loses excitement, meaning and relevance.

Moreover, outdated, lecture-style STEM instruction that teaches to the test and relies on textbooks, abstracts and theoretical scenarios constricts curiosity and aptitude, stunts STEM engagement […]