The value of role models and superheroes in STEM (Brendan Orino, Brookings)

According to the Department of Education, the United States is ranked 29th in math and 22nd in science performance among industrialized nations, and only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in math and interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. Despite spending more per capita on education per student than any other country and a world-renowned university system, few students in America are inspired from a young age to pursue these critical fields, a trend that some are hoping to reverse

http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/brown-center-chalkboard/posts/2016/05/13-role-models-superheroes-stem-orino