a. The science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field has become extremely important for the success of the innovation economy both in New Jersey and the United States, and STEM education is critical in developing a globally competitive workforce in the 21st century.

b. Despite the increasing demand for workers with experience in STEM, women and minority groups are largely underrepresented in the STEM workforce and in STEM education at the post-secondary level.

c. According to the National Science Foundation’s Science and Engineering Indicators for 2016, women comprised only 29 percent of the science and engineering workforce, despite making up half of the total college-educated workforce in the United States.

d. The gender gap in the national STEM workforce is also evidenced in New Jersey as women made up only 25.1 percent of the State‘s STEM workforce in October 2018, according to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

e. Although women comprise more than half of the nation’s college students, they are underrepresented in many STEM-related post-secondary degree programs, especially in engineering and the computer sciences.

f. Racial and ethnic minorities are similarly underrepresented in the STEM field as Hispanics, blacks, and Native Americans/Alaska Natives make up a smaller share of the science and engineering workforce (11 percent) than their proportion in the general population (27 percent of the United States working age 33 population).

g. In 2012, only 11.2 percent of bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering, 8.2 percent of master’s degrees in science and engineering, and 4.1 percent of doctorate degrees in science and engineering were awarded to minority women.

h. Encouraging young women and minorities to pursue post-secondary degrees and careers in STEM professions and increasing opportunities in the STEM field are important means for realizing greater economic innovation, success, and equality.

L.2021, c.239, s.1.