Business leaders in Mississippi 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. Mississippi students have made real progress in math since 2003. Yet average student performance remains low, and not enough students--least of all minorities--get the chance to learn challenging content that prepares them for college and careers. Few eighth graders have teachers with an undergraduate major in math or science, and science teachers are much less likely than their peers in other states to have access to resources and equipment they need to succeed.