America has fallen far from its place as a leader in math and science, experts said during a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Diversity Symposium on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

"International comparisons place the U.S. in the middle of the pack globally," said Debbie Myers, general manager of Discovery Communications. Myers said in order for the U.S. to compete in the global market, we need to a do a better job of inspiring children to develop that desire for discovery and encourage minorities and girls especially to get involved in STEM.

For both students and up-and-coming professionals, tests and studies continue to confirm that the U.S. is losing its competitive edge when it comes to math, technology and science. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which surveyed more than 150,000 people age 16 to 65 in 24 different countries, America's results for literacy were disappointing, but mathematics and problem solving proved to be especially embarrassing for a nation that has formerly reigned as a leader of innovation and technology. The U.S. ranked 21 out of 23 countries in math and 17 out of 19 countries in problem solving in the October study.

In fact, the Wall Street Journal reports that the majority of graduate students studying science and technology at American universities are not Americans, but Chinese and South Koreans.

Edie Fraser, director of STEMconnector.org, indicated at the symposium that the future of jobs lie in the fields of math and science, making it all the more urgent for younger generations to embrace these subjects.

Because of a lack of qualified workers, "2.5 million STEM jobs aren't being filled," Fraser said. Computer sciences will be espeically important in the future, she added. "Seventy-one percent of new jobs are going to be computer related in every field," she said.

Speakers at the symposium were clear about the country's need to cultivate capable and brilliant minds, not just to create a better tomorrow, but to survive tomorrow.

But the question remains: How does the nation go about creating these innovators and geniuses that are passionate about math and science?

Grant Imahara, Discovery Channel's "Myth Busters" personality and a USC engineering graduate, believes the answer to that question is: rock stars.

"We need rock stars. In the 60s astronauts were rock stars," Imahara said. "Everyone wanted to be an astronaut." Imahara said that by bringing back the esteem and awe of the scientific community and scientific discoveries, kids will develop a passion and desire to learn more about these subjects.

He also said that it was important to narrow the disconnect between the learning process and the ultimate possibilities of careers paths people can have once they finish school.

"What you need to have is that link between your education and what you do. Make creativity part of the subject," Imahara continued.

Another possible solution: "Empower our teachers to be able to show kids that STEM is fun," suggested Cindy Moss, director of Global STEM Initiatives. She explained that by improving the education and training that science and math teachers receive, in turn they would enhance the methods and activities they use to teach students, leading to an exponential increase of interest in STEM education.

Mentors are also an important component to success in STEM education.

"Everyone who has a position in STEM needs to be prepared to be a mentor," guest panelist and NASA astrobiologist and geologist Dr. Jennifer Eigenbrode said, sharing how her own mentors helped her achieve her professional goals.

Others said the best way to draw students into STEM is by reducing the financial burden that comes with studying these subjects.

"What we need to do today is figure out how we can get folks into school where they don't have to worry about student loans, and don't graduate with thousands and thousands of dollars in debt," said Anne Sandel, executive director of surface warfare for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Sandel said that by offsetting some of the high cost of a STEM education, more individuals from diverse backgrounds would be able to pursue careers in the STEM fields.

"Less than 8 percent of people in minority communities are represented in STEM degrees," Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (D-Tex.) pointed out. "That's why college needs to remain affordable." Hakeem Oluseyi, an astrophysicist and star of the Science Channel series "Outrageous Acts of Science," said that he had to overcome some of the barriers minorities face in the STEM field, and added that, ultimately, it all comes down to the individual and his or her ability and capacity to learn.

"I've taught thousands of students and there is zero impact on capacity based on your ethnicity and or sex," Oluseyi said. That doesn't mean that society doesn't set certain limitations based on one's ethnicity or sex, he explained, but its up to students decide how they impact them and their path, he explained.

Experts at the symposium agreed that once we regain our footing in STEM fields, America will once again be a leader in technology and science.

"Demographics dictate that if we are to remain competitive as a nation we must be inclusive (because) the growing population is that of a diverse minority," Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.) said.

"We've done pretty well using half of our brain power," she added. "But let me tell you its going to take all the brain power we can muster and all the diversity we can embrace to compete for the future on the world stage."

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