STEM positions, including manufacturers, engineers, scientists, doctors, technicians and mathematicians, are obligatory for scientific breakthroughs and advances in the national and international economy. 

By 2020, 85 to 95 percent of jobs will require STEM skills, according to recent data. Yet, STEM education continues to lag.

Today, only 15 percent of U.S. undergraduate degrees are in STEM fields. And, while 61 percent of students believe that the science is valued over arts in the U.S., students still need to be encouraged, so they can acquire high-earning, intellectual careers.

"According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 50 percent of jobs created in the future will require a background in math, science and technology. Moreover, recent data from the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training show that 85 to 95 percent of jobs will require STEM skills by 2020. There is no better time than now to improve the participation and performance of younger students in STEM," said Scott Hudson, manager of the Global Education Initiatives and Program Development for the Alcoa Foundation. "Equipping young students with the inspiration, initiative and curiosity to pursue STEM fields is a top priority, not only in the U.S., but globally."

Junior Achievement and the Alcoa Foundation partnered to create "JA Assembling Your Career," a worldwide curriculum that brings STEM education to middle and high school students, teaching young people how to participate in interactive STEM-focused activities, where they learn about STEM skills on an international scale and explore high-growth, high-demand career opportunities in key industries.

STEM careers remain the backbone of the U.S. economy, so the JA Assembling Your Career curriculum can be an invaluable addition to the lives of young people. STEM-focused activities can be used by teachers within classrooms as a stand-alone activity, or as an enhancement to existing high school Junior Achievement programs.

"Despite being the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population and the youngest in median age, Hispanic Americans continue to lag behind in educational attainment. Curriculum is needed to elevate and support students. Through the JA Assembling Your Career program we aim to introduce youth to STEM careers and inspire them across borders. Manufacturing is an exciting and growing industry and at Alcoa we value diversity at every level -- it is what makes the organization truly global and innovative," said Hudson.

The JA Assembling Your Career piloted in 2013, programs implemented Brazil, France, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, connecting with other partners such as Skills USA and Project Leap. Learn more about JA Assembling Your Career curriculum here.