Las empresas buscan constantemente nuevos talentos en los campos de la ciencia, la tecnología, la ingeniería y las matemáticas.

Una organización del centro de Indiana está animando a los jóvenes a considerar una carrera STEM.

La Asociación Corporativa del Centro de Indiana está formada por 65 directores generales de algunas de las mayores corporaciones del estado y algunos rectores de las principales universidades.

Melina Kennedy, CEO de la asociación, dice que uno de los objetivos de su nueva campaña "See Yourself In" es educar a los jóvenes sobre las posibilidades que ofrece.

"Muchos jóvenes, especialmente los de la Generación Z, no saben muy bien que significa eso en las industrias avanzadas, como las ciencias, las agrociencias o la tecnologia," asegura Kennedy. "Así que esta campana trata de profundizar un poco mas, de compartir con esta generación los diferentes tipos de trabajos y oportunidades que hay en estas industrias avanzadas."

La campaña destaca las carreras de ciencias de la vida en la fabricación de productos farmacéuticos y dispositivos médicos, así como la investigación y las pruebas médicas dentro de la tecnología de la información sanitaria.

La cumbre juvenil de la Asociación, con el Departamento de Educación de Indiana, tendrá lugar en noviembre. La primera se celebró el año pasado y asistieron más de 200 estudiantes de todo el estado.

Otras opciones enfocadas en la carrera profesional incluyen un programa de aprendizaje de tres años para que los participantes obtengan créditos universitarios, adquieran experiencia y desarrollen su red profesional.

Kennedy dice que See Yourself In es una excelente introducción para que los estudiantes se conecten directamente con profesionales de la industria con una fuerte presencia en Indiana, cuyas empresas ayudan a impulsar la economía del estado.

"Es un punto de partida para mucha información, tanto sobre perfiles reales de personas reales, como sobre el tipo de trabajo que hacen," dice Kennedy. "Así, la gente puede pensar en estas industrias, pero también en conexiones con herramientas y otras ofertas de trabajo, formaciones, perfiles... cosas así que pueden ser útiles."

El mes pasado, el Departamento de Educación de Indiana anunció la certificación de 20 escuelas más como líderes en educación STEM, con lo que el total asciende a más de 100.

La Fundación Lumina proporcionó apoyo para este informe.



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Indiana leaders are working to improve children's lives, as the state's national ranking for child well-being has slipped.

The latest report showed Indiana has fallen from 24th to 27th among states for overall child well-being, with food insecurity emerging as a major concern.

Tami Silverman, president and CEO of the Indiana Youth Institute, called results in the latest Indiana Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation "mixed," with nearly 20% of kids lacking consistent access to nutritious food, a figure worse than at the peak of the pandemic.

"We need to make sure we're leaning into some of our areas where we have the biggest challenges," Silverman urged. "We rank 32nd in the country for the health of our children, and that's physical and mental health. We're 15th in the country for economic well-being, but we're struggling as far as our kids' health."

Silverman emphasized addressing food insecurity requires focusing on basic needs like stable housing and reliable access to healthy meals. Neighboring states, including Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio, face similar challenges.

Another challenge is only 40% of three- and four-year-olds attend early education programs, resulting in learning gaps in language arts, math and other subjects later in school, which worry educators and parents.

Silverman argued such hurdles threaten children's future and demand immediate attention. However, she acknowledged the report also highlighted some bright spots.

"Teen birth rates are down," Silverman noted. "The ratio of dentists and mental health providers that are available for kids have improved. Median family income is on the rise."

Youth advocates are calling on both community leaders and policymakers to address the state's gaps in education and health to build on the progress. Silverman stressed caring for Indiana's children is everyone's job. She urged leaders to do more to push for a healthier, safer future for every child.


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An Alabama Senate committee has approved a bill that would require middle-school students to take a course on conflict resolution before high school. Senate Bill 34, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, is designed to equip students with skills to de-escalate conflicts-particularly as social media fuels more disputes among young people. Smitherman says too many students turn to violence because they don't know how to handle disagreements.

"I've seen it get to point where folks have guns and do everything just because of that post. They don't have any kind of way of understanding how to deal with conflict resolution so the end result is to grab a gun to do something," he explained.

The bill originally applied to high school students, but after input from the state Department of Education, lawmakers amended it to focus on middle schoolers instead.

The legislation would require public schools to provide instruction in violence prevention, mediation and conflict resolution. The Education Department would be responsible for setting curriculum standards. Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, supports the measure, calling it a proactive step to address school violence at a critical stage.

"What we have found statistically is that in middle school is where we're having the majority of the problems emerging, particularly around seventh grade," he said.

Next week, the committee will hear from experts on social media and cell phone use as lawmakers consider another proposal: banning cell phones in schools and creating a social media safety course.


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Pennsylvania nonprofits are working with teens in foster care to ensure they have the resources they will need to navigate life once they are out of the system.

In Pennsylvania, about 15,000 children are in temporary foster care.

Joseph Birli, CEO of Bethany Children's Home, said they have a congregate care setting to assist those who have been traumatized. He pointed out teens may need emergency shelter if they're at risk for human trafficking. And the staff works with them as they age out of the system.

"Our 18- to 21-year-old population, we do a life skills training for them," Birli explained. "We offer them opportunities to learn about budgeting and caring for themselves so that, as they become citizens and do discharge out of service, that they're going to be somewhat prepared to live on their own."

About 20,000 young people exit foster care each year in the U.S., according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

In Pennsylvania, Birli said 18-year-olds can leave the foster care system but can return if needed until age 21 by contacting their county. He added many do return, after realizing life is tougher than expected.

Kerry Krieger, executive director of Delta Family Services, said they support foster youth through age 21 with a supervised independent living program. Young people live in their own apartments, with the agency covering rent, utilities and stipends. A life skills coach checks in weekly to offer guidance and support, filling the gap when family is not there.

"We use an evidence-based life skills curriculum, so they have to be doing the rules -- not only of the program, but of staying in dependent care -- is that they have to be going to school and/or have a job."

Krieger emphasized the goal is for a young person to leave care with a supportive, unpaid adult connection, but also with some education and job skills, stable housing and access to health care. She added in Pennsylvania, a person 16 or older with a history of foster care can get a tuition waiver they can use at many state or community colleges.


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