Review of Relevant Literature
As the United States economy is becoming more diversified and reliant on innovation, Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math (STEM) skills and proficiency are increasingly needed for competition and
advancement. American students are less competitive with other countries in STEM fields, placing 17th in science
achievement and 25th in math (Hanushek, Peterson, & Woessmann, 2011). There is a persistent dialogue
on emphasizing the teaching of STEM in schools due to a growing supply of high-skill STEM jobs expected to
outpace non-STEM jobs in the next decade (National Math and Science Initiative, 2012). Ultimately, a broader
goal underlying the STEM movement is to increase STEM literacy. STEM literacy is defined as “the knowledge