After decades of work, the discipline of architecture has been officially recognized as a STEM subject. Congress passed the STEM legislation designation and the bipartisan bill was sign into law by the  President. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has long lobbied for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act.

The CTE is intended to encourage a more diverse workforce and see that the promise of design as the synthesis of art and science are fulfilled through education. While architects and AIA components have been working to bring design to K-12 students through special programs and activities for years, this bill helps codify those efforts. Importantly, it exposes a new generation of students, and better prepares them for, a career in architecture.

~American Institute of Architects

STEM is an education curriculum that focuses heavily on the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is a growing movement in education around the world. STEM-based learning programs encourage and promote student interest in pursuing higher education and careers in those fields. STEM education typically uses a newer model of blended learning. It combines traditional classroom teaching with online learning and hands-on learning methodologies. Blended learning aims to give students the opportunity to experience different ways of learning and problem-solving. Recent studies show the U.S. ranks 38th out of 71 countries in math and 24th in science. Among the 35 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the U.S. ranked 30th in math and 19th in science.

Education in STEM curriculum is crucial to the future of our children and the strength of the U.S. on a global scale. The work of the AIA on the CTE is a strong step towards a stronger future for students.  The CTE will open up more than a billion dollars in career and education grants to the states. It will modernize architecture programs, which have traditionally suffered in most education systems.

From the ADG Job Site

One of four walnut and metalized hanging progressive helix sculptures at the San Manuel Casino!

by Gerald Olesker, CEO, ADG Lighting