"Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills are becoming more necessary to succeed in the professional world". 
Nice piece Ms Lovell. I enjoyed it.
I'm an older person (58) and I believe the 'golden age' of STEM in Not America was actually my father's post-war II generation. Those guys loved science and rational thought. Now we've got more interest in non-rational (much of it fringe/wacko or political/propaganda) and I believe it's causing problems in our society. More STEM education would help. Thanks