Developing the Future STEM Workforce with DoW

DoW is the largest employer of STEM workers in the federal space, depending on more than 300,000 scientists and engineers across the enterprise to meet national defense challenges and modernization priorities. With only about 20% of America’s youth entering postsecondary studies in STEM, it is a national security imperative that the DoW and the nation have enduring access to STEM talent ready to support America’s near- and long-term STEM workforce needs. To combat this shortage, the DoW partnered with RTI International and other organizations to create DSEC.

What is DSEC? 

DSEC is a collaborative partnership among academia, industry, non-profit organizations, and government that aims to broaden STEM literacy and develop a skilled and agile future workforce to power the nation’s innovative defense infrastructure. As the lead organization of DSEC, RTI is helping to drive that effort by managing the consortium of organizations that directly and indirectly support students, teachers, and communities. Five fundamental principles guide the work of the consortium:

• Inspire community engagement in DoW STEM education programs and activities to provide meaningful STEM learning opportunities for students and educators.
• Attract the nation’s and DoW’s current and future STEM workforce through multiple pathways to educational and career opportunities.
• Increase participation of students and educators in STEM education and workforce development programs, activities, and outreach.
• Advance the efficiency and effectiveness of STEM education and workforce development programs, activities, and outreach through evaluation and assessment.
• Leverage the network as a force multiplier to amplify the reach, visibility, and outcomes of DoW STEM.

RTI is overseeing the implementation and efficiency of DSEC by streamlining business processes, providing thought leadership on how to fuel the growth of STEM education in grades K through 20, and fostering collaboration among consortium members.

Bringing STEM to Students 

DSEC is instrumental in furthering STEM education by amplifying the reach of individual programs and connecting them with new populations of students. It also creates pathways for students to connect their goals and coursework seamlessly as they transition through their K–12 and postsecondary experience. DSEC programming has reached students in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.

The following selected examples highlight DSEC outreach:

MATHCOUNTS® provides middle school students opportunities to grow in mathematics through the National Math Club, Math Video Challenge, and MATHCOUNTS Competition Series. More than 95,000 students have been reached through the programs during the last five years. Among MATHCOUNTS student participants, 82% reported that they planned to take more high school math than just the required courses, and 80% of all students reported an interest in pursuing a STEM-related career. 

National Inventors Hall of Fame® engages elementary school students in dynamic summer camps that hone their skills as inventors and challenge them to solve problems through STEM. Since joining DSEC three years ago, NIHF has enrolled over 3,000 students, over 85% of whom are military-connected, in their programs. NIHF intentionally meets the needs of students whose families are stationed overseas with the U.S. military by offering their camps on bases located across the globe.

The Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM operates a mobile STEM-on-the-Go Van that brings STEM to the doors of schools across the nation. Students learn how to use design software, digital fabrication skills, and machining equipment in the Van, which houses equipment like a 3D printer and laser cutter. The STEM-on-the-Go Van has served over 5,000 students in Cumberland County, North Carolina, home to Fort Bragg. 

Learning Undefeated’s innovative programming fuses STEM and an escape room into a DoW STEM Breakout Box, which uses augmented reality, special effects, light, and sound to challenge students to use STEM to solve a mix of puzzles and technology experiences. The DoW STEM Breakout Box is housed in a mobile shipping container and visits communities around the nation.

Evolving to Create Opportunity in STEM

DSEC provides students with opportunities to use technology that they would not typically be able to access, while further developing their interest in STEM. DSEC continues to employ a data-driven approach to evaluate progress over time and ensure positive outcomes for students and educators. RTI’s approach also will continue to evolve to meet the needs of students and to ensure that the skills pipeline can meet the demands of tomorrow’s DoD workforce.

Through ongoing innovation, subject matter expertise, and a dynamic consortium membership, RTI is creating a foundation for the future of STEM education. Learn more about RTI’s education & workforce development and military research & solutions.