Connecting Kids to STEM through entrepreneurship and innovation

In this paper, the authors outline preliminary results on the introduction of entrepreneurs and innovators in classrooms, demonstrating the positive impact on both teaching kids STEM, as well as influencing certain demographics to aspire to STEM-related careers. The authors hypothesize that connecting students to STEM in elementary school, primarily through the introduction to STEM-based entrepreneurs and innovators, will ultimately result in a more STEM-inspired and STEM-literate workforce. If this model is followed collectively by educators, business, and government alike, the authors believe that significant progress can be made in mitigating the loss of students interested in STEM during middle school.