Solution providers have a key role in inspiring the next generation of technology leaders.

"Solving our nation's STEM crisis requires all hands on deck," Kathryn Nash, says associate director of educational affairs at Cognizant. "Education is not a spectator sport. It will require involvement from public and private sectors that include industry, schools, communities and families all working together."

Nash said Cognizant believes creativity, innovation and STEM education are the key to fueling both the channel and the economy as a whole. She said she believes building those capabilities will, in turn, fuel developments in poverty, global health issues, climate change and more.

However, Nash said it isn't quite as simple as pushing students to do better in math and science classes. Instead, she said it's important to foster creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and more through hands-on projects and design-based learning approaches. She said that approach helps grow confidence and interest in the subjects, instead of pushing the children away.

The end goal, Nash said, is fostering what she called "employability skills," referring to problem solving, teamwork, oral and written communications and collaboration.

"Tomorrow's STEM jobs will place increased demands on new STEM competencies that include not only computer science but also expanded digital fluency in social, mobile, analytics, and cloud (SMAC). Technical skills are not relevant forever, but transforming an individual into a life-long learner is enduring," Nash said.

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