STEAM education—science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics—has become a national priority with good reason. STEAM careers are among the fastest-growing and highest-paying jobs in America, and in the next decade, nearly 80 percent of all new jobs created nationwide will require STEAM skills, like critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, perseverance, experimentation and teamwork. Moreover, according to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, the U.S will be short 1 million needed STEAM professionals by 2022.

Unfortunately, though, there are significant gender, racial and socioeconomic gaps in STEAM. And as the nation prepares students for a more technological future, we must ensure that all students are prepared for the future workforce. At the KUMA Foundation, we are committed to ensuring that all students—regardless of gender, race or zip code—have access to essential STEAM skills. Our programs are designed to empower kids with the tools they’ll need to succeed in the 21stcentury.

We believe that all kids deserve a chance at a high-tech future.