In May 2013, a high school student from California designed an improved
supercapacitor that allows cell phone charging in 20 seconds (Kosser, 2013). Even as
Americans celebrate the success of this invention, other nations’ students continue to
make great educational gains in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
subjects (Hess, Kelly, & Meeks, 2011). career
and college readiness skills.