Fortune 1000 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) companies see a talent crises that they cannot solve on their own. In a recent survey of executives from such companies, there was almost unanimous agreement that the pipeline to such jobs must begin in elementary school.

• Almost all of the Fortune 1000 STEM executives (95 percent) are concerned that the U.S. is in danger of losing its global leadership position in science and technology due to a shortage of STEM talent, with more than half (55 percent) reporting their companies are already experiencing such a shortage.
• When it comes to rising international competition, fully two-thirds (68 percent) are concerned that other countries' increasing access to STEM talent is giving rival companies based in these countries a competitive advantage over them, with one-fifth (20 percent) saying they are "very concerned."
• These are issues the U.S. presidential candidates should be concerned about say the execs. In fact, nearly all (98 percent) believe the state of the country's STEM workforce vis-à-vis its continued competitiveness should be a major issue for the U.S. presidential candidates, with two-thirds (68 percent) saying the candidates should be very concerned.

"What is most dramatic about this survey is the extent to which the Fortune executives speak with one unequivocal voice on these issues," said Dr. Attila Molnar, President and CEO of Bayer Corporation, sponsor of the survey. "Almost without exception, they overwhelmingly recognize this country's great need to tap the potential of the entire STEM talent pool, and the importance of doing so at every point on the development continuum beginning in elementary school with high-quality, hands-on, inquiry-based science education, on through college where STEM talent is refined and recruited, and then into the workplace where it must be further nurtured and encouraged."

Respondents believe that their corporations have a responsibility to help support a pipeline that encourages STEM careers. They also say that an important component of growing the talent pool is engaging girls and minorities. Almost all the senior executives (98 percent) say it is important for girls and minorities to receive a strong science and math education beginning in elementary school in order to reduce their underrepresentation in STEM fields; nine-in-10 (90 percent) say it is very important. The majority (87 percent) also believe the most effective way for these students to learn science is through a hands-on, inquiry-based approach (87 percent).

However, they believe the U.S. education system is falling short here. Not one of the executives surveyed graded the U.S. an "A" when asked how well the U.S. pre-college system is doing in engaging and nurturing girls and minorities to pursue STEM careers. In fact, almost six-in-10 (55 percent) assigned it a failing grade of D or F.

The surveyed executives say they have a responsibility to ensure women and minorities succeed in science and engineering fields through mentoring and other programs. The majority  (98 percent) also believe that is important for their companies to support pre-college science education programs that help create the next generation of inventors, innovators and discoverers.

For outreach to schools, many cited the "Scientists in the Schools" program as particularly valuable. Nearly all, (96%) agree that "direct contact with scientists and engineers is an effective way to help students better appreciate careers in science and engineering."

The survey found that larger companies have a greater commitment to school outreach, and that they should help growing companies with best practices in this area.

Bayer Corporation commissioned the survey as part of its Making Science Make Sense initiative.

Source: Bayer Press Release, FORTUNE 1000 EXECUTIVES: New President Must Fix Education Gap