Fast Company on How STEM Scouts Builds 21st Century Professionals

Boy Scouts of America is changing how the nation views science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and Fast Company took notice.

Led by the National Directors of STEM Programs Trent Nichols and April McMillan, STEM Scouts is a national pilot program focused on teaching kids STEM subjects in a hands-on and fun-centric environment. And the program is solving a major problem in the U.S. today: the shortage of STEM professionals.

“The Boy Scouts has a history of trying to serve the nation’s needs. In World War I and II, the Boy Scouts gathered up things for the war effort,” said Nichols to Fast Company. “Right now, two National Academy of Sciences reports came out saying we have a critical shortage of qualified STEM professionals. This is a way to help in that need.”

What’s more, the program is only getting bigger. STEM Scouts is expanding to 12 new cities in the fall of 2015. And kids across the country are rejoicing.

Check out the full story on Fast Company to find out how STEM Scouts is getting kids (and parents) pumped to explore an innovative way to take part in Scouting and prepare for the future.