Business leaders in South Carolina cannot find the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent they need to stay competitive. Students' lagging performance in K-12 is a critical reason why. The good news is that the nation's most effective STEM education programs can help turn the tide. South Carolina students' performance in K-12 math and science has been basically flat since 2003, and not enough students--least of all minorities--are exposed to challenging content to prepare them for college and careers. Most eighth graders don't have teachers with an undergraduate major in math or science.