Why Are STEM Skills Important For Today's Kids?

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"The focus on STEM is very important in Philadelphia because 70 percent of future jobs will require STEM skills," said Jean Ford, the Chair of Medicine at Einstein Healthcare Network. "That's skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math."

"Why focus on STEM here in Philadelphia? First of all, Philly is the nation's first science city; incredible history," Franklin Institute's Senior Vice President of Science and Education Frederic Bertley said.

Philadelphia's kids live in a city rich in science history and teeming with innovation and technology. We here at CBS 3, along with our partners at Einstein Health and the Franklin Institute, are thrilled to be a part of it. So why are STEM skills so important for today's kids?

"It's the foundation of really everything we do." Ford said. Studies show that one of the best ways to get kids interested in science is to allow them to participate in hands-on experiments and activities.

"What we're able to do through this partnership is make science come alive. Having someone like Kate Bilo talk about really cool things on TV, coming here to Franklin Institute and not only keeps the kids excited, but shows them the possible suite of careers, to everything in between," Bertley said.

"What I tell my son is to really work hard and get a good foundation and that foundation, if it's there can lead him to do exciting things in so many directions," Ford added.

Students like Khafren Smith and Matthew Milligan already recognize the benefit of STEM resources.

"Me wanting to be a mechanical engineer, it's very important to have a good foundation and the school I got to partnered with the program I'm in at the Franklin Institute, really helps me build on that foundation for my career." Smith said.

"I feel like there's a lot of problems in society that can be fixed using STEM principals. Students can be more prepared for the challenges of the future," Milligan added.