The solar eclipse has sparked more interest in science and technology, especially among young people.

But the saying, 'You can't be what you don't see,' is a reality for youth of color considering a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math career.

A 2024 Black Girls and STEM Report indicates this demographic aspires to become astronauts, engineers and more -- but a lack of Black representation can dampen their enthusiasm.

Crystal Morton is the founder and director of the Girls STEM Institute, which offers courses for girls ages 7 to 18.
She said the emphasis is on relevant cultural content and careers for girls who might not otherwise have access to these experiences.

"That might be doing a session on the science of Black hair," said Morton, "looking at different products to understand the science behind how that product is made, and what's in that product or how it may be impacting them. So, we make our own products. You can be able to look at a label and say, 'Hey, I should be able to pronounce what I'm putting on my skin, or in my hair.'"

She said the students quickly get the connections.

The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics says about one-third of STEM workers are women. But Black workers make up only 18% of the 35 million people employed in STEM fields.

Morton said the Institute's Saturday programs are in partnership with the Indiana University, Indianapolis School of Education. And in the summer, volunteers engage with students about careers in aviation and medicine.

As a former math teacher, Morton said she believes early exposure to this information is key, and said kids begin showing their curiosity as early as third grade.

"Understanding how things happen with technology, that they all need to have different mathematical levels of understanding," said Morton. "They need to have computational thinking skills, because that's the way this world is moving. And I believe that they do have it -- if you just sit back and watch them play, you see the problem solving happen."

A report on Indiana's STEM education priorities shows the number of undergraduate degrees is up since 2015, but the number of STEM-related degrees awarded hasn't moved much.

Hispanic and Black students earn between 3% and 5% of those STEM degrees. They make up 6% and 9% of the state's population, respectively.

Chronic absenteeism rates in Michigan schools have significantly declined, yet researchers warn the state's rate overall remains alarmingly high.

"Chronic absenteeism" is when a student misses at least 10% of the school year.

Michigan's rate dropped from nearly 39% to slightly more than 30% in the 2022-23 school year, but it's still higher than the 20% recorded in 2018. Climate change and extreme weather are now seen as factors that fuel absenteeism.

Veteran first-grade teacher Janice Rackozy from Hamtramck shares how her students face challenges during bad weather.

"Lot of the kids, if it's too cold, they won't come to school. If it's too hot, they call weather days. So, it interrupts the learning," she said. "One good thing out of it, we began to go online and the kids got used to going online because of COVID."

However, learning gaps because of the pandemic haven't closed.

Rackozy said her district has been proactive in making sure school buildings are updated and well insulated so students feel comfortable and safe when at school.

Many educators credit Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, at least in part, for the decline in school absenteeism. The plan details key goals and strategies for better educational outcomes throughout the state, including support for struggling schools and promoting safe and healthy school environments.

Frank Donner, an elementary teacher in Detroit, said he tells parents at the beginning of the school year that if they do nothing else, just make sure their child comes to class.

"If they're here, we're going to work with them, and we can do a lot, and they will do a lot," he said. "But for every day that the student's missing, they're missing instruction, and it's not just that individual student that's missing out. It's also disrupting then the learning and routines and procedures for the rest of the class."

Donner said chronic school absenteeism affects students and staff equally, and that it's as big an issue in rural communities as it is in big cities or suburbs.


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The start of a new year of school in Minnesota has a new twist: intense focus from national media and voters across the U.S.

With Gov. Tim Walz running for vice president, many are trying to measure his impact from the classroom to policy decisions. On the campaign trail, Gov. Walz has talked about his career as a public schoolteacher. On the governing side, his push to help adopt free school meals for all students has drawn attention.

Bob Ihrig, a retired social studies teacher from Mankato, is among some of Walz' former colleagues from Mankato West High School speaking out. He said Walz exceeded their expectations when they hired him.

"He's just an outstanding role model for any future teacher," Ihrig contended. "There's a lot of hope and inspiration with Tim Walz."

Ihrig suggested it could help make the profession appealing to younger generations amid teacher shortages. In politics, Walz maintains strong support from unions, including the American Federation of Teachers, for actions like a taking a hard stance against private school vouchers. His opponents argued he kept schools closed for too long during the pandemic, subsequently hurting student test scores.

Walz' supporters countered he took proper steps to keep everyone safe and his administration is committed to reducing learning gaps.

Aaron Miller, a current social studies teacher at Mankato West High School, said student performance is a complex issue, along with education funding. Under Walz, public schools have received a big boost but many districts still have tight budgets. Miller pointed out it could be a lot worse.

"That money that was thrown out really just kind of helped us kind of catch up a little bit," Miller explained. "Public school funding is a hornet's nest of people demanding certain things. And there are a lot of things to consider when you're going into it; property taxes."

Miller feels the perception of public schools is too steeped in "culture war" issues often pushed by conservative groups. While he does not agree with every policy move Walz has made, Miller stressed a renewed focus on the mission aligned with being a teacher should stay in the limelight much longer.

"We need our administrations, we need our state Department of Education, to do some things to help re-instill that sense of support and respect," Miller emphasized.

Classroom supplies are taking a toll on teachers in North Carolina.

A new survey showed despite earning around 5% less than they did a decade ago, North Carolina teachers are spending the fourth-highest amount in the country on school supplies.

Tamika Walker Kelly, president of the North Carolina Association of Educators, said teachers are dipping into their own pockets due to insufficient state funding for instructional materials.

"Educators in North Carolina are spending about $1,300 of their own money, $400 more than the national average," Walker Kelly pointed out. "We continue to see that rise amongst our educators here in the state. "

She noted the association is urging state legislators to invest in school supplies and reinstate the state's Tax Holiday to help teachers and parents save money. There have also been calls from Attorney General and Democratic nominee for governor Josh Stein to introduce a plan to reduce back-to-school costs.

Walker Kelly emphasized the rising expenses are coupled with low teacher salaries. North Carolina, currently ranked 38th in average teacher pay, is projected to drop to 41st by the 2024-25 school year, according to the National Education Association.

She contended financial pressures have led to staffing shortages, which ultimately affect students' learning experiences.

"We know that our state Legislature could make that investment," Walker Kelly asserted. "That's why we are continuing to advocate for that because we see record numbers of educators flee to South Carolina and to Virginia and to Georgia because of that $10,000 pay difference."

She also highlighted the issue of salary stagnation for veteran educators with 15 or more years of experience. The top salary on North Carolina's teacher pay scale is just over $61,000, which teachers reach after 25 years. Between years 15 and 24, there is no growth in pay, leaving veteran teachers without raises for nearly a decade.