oa Global STEM: Opportunities and Challenges

The need for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) literacy extends beyond the boundaries of the major developed economies. The lack of wide reaching STEM literacy in the Countries with Less Economic Resources (CLER) is caused, and indeed compounded, by the lack of STEM economy in those countries. Here CLER is used as an umbrella acronym for the ‘Least Developed Countries’ and the lower tier ‘Developing Countries’ according to the United Nations (UN) economic classifications. Any STEM workforce development in a country without a foundation in the STEM economy would simply feed those countries (through immigration) where STEM jobs are located and in abundance. This flight of talent is known as ‘brain drain’. Tragically, this has manifested itself into a ‘feast’ or ‘famine’ situation for countries seeking economic prosperity. Whereas the major developed economies are feasting on STEM-based economic prosperity and growth, CLER is seemingly in perpetual famine state. On an intellectual level, the ethical approach to STEM education and literacy, in the countries with abundant economic resources must be designed to cross national boundaries and devote special attention and resources to those in the global village that are in the famine state, i.e., the CLER. In the absence of external stimulus, however the famine states, for the most part, would not be in the position to self-correct and thus the economic divide and injustice would continue to deepen.