---
title: "STEM pipeline"
chunk: 1/2
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STEM_pipeline"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T04:21:47.353314+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

The STEM pipeline is the educational pathway for students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The start and end of this STEM pipeline are disputed, but it is often considered to begin in early education and extend into graduation or an adult career in STEM.
Recent research suggests that, rather than a pipeline, students follow a pathway with multiple points of entry and exit throughout their education. 

== Description ==
The "pipeline" metaphor is based on the idea that having sufficient graduates requires both having sufficient input of students at the beginning of their studies, and retaining these students through completion of their academic program. The STEM pipeline is a key component of workplace diversity and of workforce development that ensures sufficient qualified candidates are available to fill scientific and technical positions.
The STEM pipeline was promoted in the United States from the 1970s onwards, as “the push for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education appears to have grown from a concern for the low number of future professionals to fill STEM jobs and careers and economic and educational competitiveness.”
Today, this metaphor is commonly used to describe retention problems in STEM fields, called “leaks” in the pipeline. For example, the White House reported in 2012 that 80% of minority groups and women who enroll in a STEM field switch to a non-STEM field or drop out during their undergraduate education. These leaks often vary by field, gender, ethnic and racial identity, socioeconomic background, and other factors, drawing attention to structural inequities involved in STEM education and careers.

== Current efforts ==
The STEM pipeline concept is a useful tool for programs aiming at increasing the total number of graduates, and is especially important in efforts to increase the number of underrepresented minorities and women in STEM fields. Using STEM methodology, educational policymakers can examine the quantity and retention of students at all stages of the K–12 educational process and beyond, and devise programs and interventions to improve educational processes and outcomes. STEM programs focus on increasing social and academic supports for students. STEM programs may also focus on bringing students together with professionals in their field, to provide mentoring, role models and learning opportunities in industry.
Maintaining a healthy and diverse STEM pipeline has been a concern in several developed countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany.

=== United States ===
In the United States, although efforts to increase the number of women and African Americans in STEM fields have been ongoing, as recently as 2010 the results have been evaluated as "poor". In 2014, one report declared that "traditionally underrepresented groups remain underrepresented", while another article commented, "You can go through your entire scholarly trajectory in computer science without seeing one face of color", where "of color" refers to African Americans.
STEM pipeline programs in the US have been created at various levels. Examples include: the Technology Leadership Institute at the University of Pittsburgh at the college and university level, the Nevada STEM pipeline at the state level, Stanford University's Women in Data Science Initiative offers workshops and educational resources at the secondary and university level, and the Broadening Participation in Computing Alliances at the national level.

=== United Kingdom ===
The United Kingdom has created pipeline programs, including an ambassador program. the ambassador program allows teachers to partner with industry professionals to help mentor students and talk about potential career paths. All mentors in the program are volunteers and teachers in the United Kingdom have a portal where they can request aid from a volunteer. The program's origins can be traced back to a letter sent to the prime minister by the Council of Science and Technology in 2012 that covered the core values that should make stem more accessible. This letter outlined the core values as "integrated delivery, governance and accountability across the curriculum, teaching, testing, STEM access, and career advice and guidance".

==== SpLDs ====
The Council of Science and Technology has also researched education methods that better support students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) that go down the STEM pipeline. Research done by the council in 2020 found three areas where the education system can improve with education for students with SpLDs in STEM. The first problem was identification; schools have been looking to see students struggling to diagnose, which causes many students to remain undiagnosed. The next area Identified was changes to the support system. The researchers concluded that the support system can be improved by involving parents. the research concludes that resources like workshops for parents on better supporting their students are a good next step for adding support. Lastly, they also looked into technology-based interventions but concluded that more work needed to be done before they could be effectively used.