Nurturing Future Innovators: Engaging the next STEM workforce to conquer our most urgent health challenges

Driven by personal experience, I’m passionate about enhancing STEM awareness to inspire the next generation of leaders in the battle against Alzheimer’s.

As we confront the future of healthcare and disease management, one of our most significant challenges is Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association? reports that over 7 million Americans currently live with this debilitating condition, and this number is projected to double to 14 million by 2060. This escalation highlights an urgent need for innovative solutions, dedicated research, and a workforce. Energizing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) awareness and education may be our most effective strategy for combating Alzheimer's and other age-related diseases. Early exposure, engagement, and inspiration in STEM fields are crucial for fostering a future workforce capable of addressing these challenges.

Exposure: Laying the Foundation for Alzheimer's Research

The journey toward a STEM career often starts in early childhood. Research indicates that children as young as 5 can develop an interest in science and technology through engaging and interactive learning experiences. By integrating discussions about the workings of the human body, diseases like Alzheimer's and their impact into K-12 curricula, educators can cultivate curiosity about how students might contribute to understanding and combating such devastating conditions. For instance, exploring the biology of the brain or the effects of aging can ignite a passion for solving problems related to Alzheimer’s.

"Our kids must have skills to create and to innovate, to (excel) in the 21st century,” said Calvin Mackie , PhD, CEO, founder and visionary behind STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action . “And that's why exposure to STEM is so important. It can't start in middle school or high school, or college. It has to start at four and five years old. So, it becomes a part of the lexicon and becomes a part of their DNA."

Currently, only 7% of high school seniors express interest in pursuing STEM majors in college, according to the STEM Education Coalition. This underscores the need for earlier and more effective exposure to STEM subjects. Organizations such as STEM NOLA and STEM Global Action (SGA) are pivotal in this effort, providing hands-on STEM experiences for kids in grades K-12 that connect interactive learning with real-world applications. Their work is essential for cultivating a diverse talent pool that can drive innovation in critical healthcare research, including Alzheimer’s.

"We've created what we think is the AAU of STEM. We are finding genius kids from cradle to career and then putting them on a pathway (to STEM careers),” said Dr. Mackie.

Engagement: Creating Hands-On Learning Experiences

Exposure alone is not enough; active engagement is key to deepening students' understanding and retention of STEM concepts. In addition to the work being done by STEM NOLA | SGA and its partners, schools can enhance learning by organizing science fairs focused on neurological research or establishing partnerships with local universities and healthcare organizations engaged in Alzheimer’s research.

Programs like those offered by STEM NOLA and SGA effectively engage future scientists and healthcare leaders through real-world problem-solving. By focusing on relevant issues like the workings of the cardiovascular system and the lungs, they inspire students to see how science can address societal needs. These programs and their partners foster an understanding of the impact of STEM for tackling real-world challenges, eventually connecting students to collaborative projects aimed at developing innovative solutions and support.

The Alzheimer's Association? also plays a crucial role in this educational context. By integrating their resources and mission into STEM education, students can gain insight not only into the scientific aspects of Alzheimer’s but also into the social, emotional, and public health dimensions of the disease.

Inspiration: Cultivating Lifelong Careers in STEM

Inspiring students to pursue STEM careers involves connecting them with role models and real-world applications. Meeting scientists, researchers, and healthcare professionals working on Alzheimer’s initiatives can help students envision themselves in similar roles. In addition to the work being done by STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action in communities throughout the U.S.,, programs like Women In Stem Women in STEM and STEM Ambassadors bring diverse role models into classrooms, demonstrating that careers in science are both attainable and impactful.

The mission of STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action is to expose, engage, and inspire future innovators, creators, makers and entrepreneurs, grade K-12, through STEM-based activities and to opportunities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Statistics reveal that only 21% of STEM professionals in the U.S. are women, highlighting the need for increased representation. By showcasing diverse role models in Alzheimer’s research, we can foster an inclusive environment that motivates all students. Initiatives supported by organizations such as STEM NOLA and SGA emphasize inclusivity, ensuring a variety of voices in the STEM field.

Moreover, the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) mobilizes advocates to drive policy changes at local, state, and federal levels. By linking students to these advocacy efforts, we inspire them to pursue scientific careers and understand the role of legislation and public policy in addressing health crises.

A Collective Responsibility

Addressing Alzheimer’s disease requires a comprehensive approach, and engaging the next generation in STEM is a crucial component. By exposing students to, engaging them with, and inspiring them about STEM opportunities, we can cultivate future innovators, problem solvers, and a workforce.

Educators, parents, and community leaders must advocate for curricula that prioritize STEM education, offer interactive and inclusive experiences, and emphasize the importance of tackling real-world health issues like Alzheimer’s disease. The future of Alzheimer’s research and treatment depends on the minds we nurture today.

The clock is ticking, and with effective exposure, engagement, and inspiration—bolstered by the impactful work of STEM NOLA , STEM Global Action , the Alzheimer's Association? , and AIM—we can empower the next generation to advance our understanding of Alzheimer’s and develop transformative solutions. Through awareness, dedicated education and encouragement, we can ensure that the future makes strides toward breakthroughs, rather than staggering in the face of Alzheimer’s disease.

About Jim Pittman:

A personal mission to advance Alzheimer’s awareness and solutions while inspiring our next generation of STEM leaders

With over 30 years of experience in healthcare, managed care, and pharmaceutical communications, Jim Pittman has dedicated over a decade of his professional life to advocating for Alzheimer's disease awareness and support. The personal loss of his mother, both grandmothers, and his godmother to Alzheimer's, coupled with serving as a family caregiver for his mom, has profoundly shaped his commitment to the cause.

Drawing on his extensive communications expertise, Jim has actively worked to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease. Year after year, he serves as Walk Captain for the NOLA Walk To End Alzheimer's and as an Advocate for the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM). Additionally, Jim volunteers to serve on the Alzheimer's Association Louisiana Chapter ’s Board and has proudly served as Board Chair for the chapter since 2023.

In his current role as Chief Communications Officer for STEM NOLA | STEM Global Action , Jim champions efforts to expose, engage, and inspire K-12 students in STEM fields, aligning with their broader mission to cultivate future innovators and problem solvers. The Alzheimer's Association's mission to end Alzheimer's and all other forms of dementia resonates deeply with Jim, who is committed to supporting the organization's goals in research, risk reduction, care, public policy, and raising awareness. By bridging these two missions, Jim strives to empower the next generation with the tools and knowledge needed to drive groundbreaking solutions for both STEM workforce and Alzheimer’s disease challenges.

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