High school STEM education is shifting from a focus on coding to data literacy as AI becomes more prevalent. Students are now gravitating toward statistics and applied mathematics, often engaging in real-world data analysis projects, such as evaluating police department data to propose policy changes, according to Benjamin Rubenstein, assistant principal at Manhattan Village Academy in New York. The curriculum is adapting to these trends, pairing computer science with courses that connect mathematics to culture, identity and societal impact.

Vermont fifth-grade math teacher Mike Kenny, motivated by research and classroom needs, developed visual flash cards to build math fluency and later turned it into a digital app. Students interact with digital flashcards that pair equations with images, such as groups of cubes or dots, giving them deeper understanding of the concepts behind the numbers, along with better retention. A graduate of the Vermont Mathematics Initiative, Kenny left teaching to run MathFactLab full-time, and the app now has over 1 million users and, last year, generated nearly $1 million in revenue.

The STEM gender gap is re-emerging, with girls' scores in eighth-grade math and science declining more sharply than boys' since the pandemic. This widening gap starts as early as middle school and extends into high school, where girls are underrepresented in advanced STEM classes. Girls comprise only 34% of AP computer science classes in high school, which correlates with women holding just 35% of STEM jobs in the US.

Compton Unified School District in California has seen significant academic improvements under Superintendent Darin Brawley's 13-year leadership, with the district achieving a 94% graduation rate and three years in a row of growth on state assessments. Brawley credits this success to a strong focus on STEAM education, explicit teaching of academic language and a process modeled after Malcolm Baldridge's performance excellence standards, which involves benchmarking against surrounding districts and setting smart goals for continuous improvement.

The roofing industry is facing a significant labor shortage as experienced workers retire faster than young workers enter the field. While Generation Z values job security, purpose, and flexibility, stigma and misinformation about trade jobs persist. Companies are addressing this challenge with paid apprenticeships and partnerships with schools.

Three local pilots recently visited Woodcrest Elementary School in Midland, Mich., to share their flying experiences with third-graders studying flight as part of the Project Lead the Way curriculum. The pilots, Arian Perez, Jack Gavin and Patrick Hanley, discussed topics such as their favorite flights, handling nervousness and the challenges of learning to fly.

We asked ACTE's award winners to share the songs that fuel their passion, the student moments that keep them inspired, and how ACTE has supported their success in CTE. "My students have shown me the power of resilience and curiosity in learning," shared Nickolas Lebo, ACTE's Teacher of the Year. "Their ability to embrace new challenges with a growth mindset has inspired me to stay adaptable and open to evolving teaching methods."