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). In order for the United States to lead in STEM,
educational pathways should lead to producing a well-trained STEM workforce (National
Science and Technology Council [NSTC], 2013).