St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron is responding to the shortage of trained professionals in the science, technology, engineering and math fields in Michigan by creating a STEM Institute.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. STEM-related careers are among the fastest growing in the state and nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these occupations "play an instrumental role in expanding scientific frontiers, developing new products and generating technological progress." Through the institute, SC4 will be positioned to help meet the demand for those jobs and therefore assist in boosting Michigan's economy.

For the Blue Water Area, the institute will increase awareness of STEM careers for high school students and adults returning to college, improve access to occupational associate degrees that align more closely with jobs in those fields and increase the seamless transferability of associate of science degrees to four-year colleges and universities. SC4 offers 19 degrees or certificates in STEM-related fields.

"The faculty and staff who have been part of planning for the STEM Institute are enthusiastic to hit the ground running," SC4 President Dr. Kevin A. Pollock said. "Although we are in the early stages, we couldn't think of a more appropriate time to announce this endeavor than Michigan STEM Awareness Week."

The Michigan Senate on Tuesday, Feb. 28, passed Resolution 123 designating March 25 through 31 as Michigan STEM Awareness Week. The resolution called upon parents, educators, community organizations, businesses, governments and Michigan residents to use the week to increase awareness of science, technology, engineering and math education and related careers to advance Michigan's workforce in the 21st century economy.

According to a report by The Center for Michigan that looked at job projections, Michigan colleges and universities in 2009-10 graduated 20% too few computer and math professionals, 14% too few health care professionals and 3% too few engineers.

According to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, jobs showing significant Michigan growth through 2018 include biochemists, biological scientists, biomedical engineers, biophysicists, civil engineers, computer software engineers, network and computer systems administrators, and statisticians.

The initial goals of SC4's STEM Institute will be to:

• Provide the highest-quality associate of science STEM degrees that allow students to transfer seamlessly to four-year institutions to continue their bachelor's degrees in science programs.
• Increase the enrollment of early and middle college students, as well as dual-enrolled students, in STEM-related programs. (SC4 is a partner in the Croswell-Lexington Early College with the Croswell-Lexington school district and the Blue Water Middle College with St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency and five local high schools. Hundreds of local high school students also take classes at SC4 through dual enrollment.)
• Better align associate in applied arts and science degrees with job openings in STEM-related careers.
• Better partner with businesses and economic development agencies to fill current job postings.
• Better align with state and federal initiatives.
• Better position the college to apply for STEM-related grants.

STEM-related occupations generally pay salaries above the all-occupations mean of $44,410 reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Following are examples of predicted job growth in Michigan through 2018 and average salaries in Michigan for some STEM-related occupations, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget:

• Biochemists and biophysicists – 25% job growth, average salary of $86,000.
• Biological scientists – 9% job growth, average salary of $63,800.
• Biomedical engineers – 70% job growth, average salary of $67,700.
• Civil engineers – 20% job growth, average salary of $72,400.
• Computer software engineers who develop systems software – 24% job growth, average salary of $82,100.
• Network and computer systems administrators – 17% job growth, average salary of $64,900.
• Statisticians – 8% job growth, average salary of $71,200.

The STEM Institute announcement is SC4's second project during Michigan STEM Awareness Week. The college Thursday, March 29, offered a program of educational demonstrations and hands-on activities. Participants learned about STEM careers and were introduced to the hands-on education that's part of academic programs to prepare for STEM careers.

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