Pictured from left: TI Chief Citizenship Officer Trisha Cunningham, TI Vice President of Government Relations Paula Collins, Dr. Shirley Malcom, Dee Chambliss of Educate Texas, U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson and TI K-12 Education and Community Relations Director Aleta Stampley.

TI recently hosted "STEM Education: Key to Economic Success," the first in a series of education thought leadership speaker programs intended to inspire North Texas education leaders and corporate supporters.

The initial program was sponsored in collaboration with Educate Texas, an initiative of the Communities Foundation of Texas.

The program, held at the Communities Foundation of Texas, featured nationally recognized science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) expert Dr. Shirley Malcom and attracted about 35 STEM education leaders for the presentation and Q&A.

Malcom, who heads Education and Human Resources for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), was interviewed by Dee Chambliss of Educate Texas, an alliance of public and private groups that share the common goal of improving public education.

Malcom described her unit's mission within AAAS as "bringing science to people and people to science."

"Everyone needs a good grounding in science to lead a good life," she said.

She recommended several strategies to interest students in science and engineering:

1. Position these fields as "helping professions." Many students today, particularly girls who are often underrepresented in STEM, are looking to "help people and make a difference in the world," she said.
2. Start early in preschool encouraging young children to do simple math in everyday activities (i.e. counting the plates when setting the table, sorting socks).
3. Introduce science and math to students on their own terms (i.e. digital arts, using new tools).
4. Use the entire community for teaching and learning (i.e. Scouts, libraries, museums).

"It's a matter of helping people understand — parents, grandparents and students — the opportunities that exist to guide them and support them," Malcom said.

"It's everything from considering the toys we give to taking kids to libraries."

You can't teach everyone everything they need to know, but you can situate them for a lifetime of learning, Malcom said.

She encouraged the attendees, particularly corporate supporters, to "have more voice and make clear by their presence that there is advocacy for this – bring a voice for transformation."

She also asked them to provide "strategic vision" and "demand evidence of success just as if we you were buying anything else."

She asked that those in the STEM fields be "visible and present to young people."

Malcom was followed by U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, who thanked Malcom, TI and Educate Texas and encouraged the audience in their work to ensure that public education prepares every Texas student for success in college and the workforce.