CHARLESTON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Virtual college and career connection platform STEM Premier has released their 4th annual national rankings of their top academic and technical high school students. Students from all 50 states with STEM Premier profiles were ranked and rated based on an algorithm of more than 30 metrics including test scores, achievements, experiences and more.
The “SP Top 100” were selected from more than 350,000 students representing 19,000+ high schools and include a widely diverse group of high-achieving seniors, juniors and sophomores. This year’s selectees, hailing from 29 different states, represents National Merit Scholar Finalists, AP Scholars, Valedictorians, Science Olympiad Champions, Girl Scouts and Eagle Scouts, Presidential Scholars and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) students.
Students who made the rankings showed a wide variety of extracurricular participation as well – their involvement includes: FIRST Robotics, JROTC, membership within HOSA- Future Health Professionals, 4-H, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Mu Alpha Theta, National Honors Society, and SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers). Varsity athletics, community service, and creative interests such as the arts, music, and design were also prevalent among the SP Top 100.
While many students are committed to four-year universities, a focus was also placed on students continuing their STEM education at 2-year technical schools and community colleges. More programs across the nation are offering the types of programs vital in contributing to not only STEM-based careers but also for high-skilled technical jobs in industries like advanced manufacturing, IT, and healthcare.
“STEM education is critical in producing the type of jobs many in the industry need, especially in areas like our home state of South Carolina,” said Casey Welch, CEO and Co-founder of STEM Premier. “When selecting our SP Top 100 students this year, we wanted to recognize those who are going to be contributing in essential fields with critical skills so dire to our developing economy.”
STEM Premier, founded in 2013, is an online ecosystem connecting emerging talent with higher education and industry. Students, ages 13 and up, create comprehensive digital profiles showcasing their skills, talents, and abilities. Colleges, universities, and corporations can identify upcoming talent, view their profiles, and connect via direct message – bridging the gap between talent and opportunity.
A growing number of colleges and companies leverage STEM Premier to build their future talent pipeline including Boeing, Penn State, Cummins Turbo Diesel, Charleston Southern University, BMW, Blackbaud, and others.
For a full list of the 2018 STEM Premier Top 100 rankings, visit stempremier.com/rankings.
About STEM Premier
STEM Premier® is an innovative online solution that connects talent, post-secondary institutions, and employers in one digital ecosystem. The solution is uniquely designed to assist talent in planning their own educational and/or career pathway as early as age 13 and to showcase their academic and technical achievements in particular areas, such as STEM, throughout high school and beyond. The platform also provides a targeted recruiting tool for colleges and employers, via talent profiles and direct messaging, to engage talented individuals and ensure a stable and continuous workforce pipeline. The result is a single end-to-end platform that serves the needs of talent, post-secondary institutions, and employers and tracks individuals from educational experiences to workplace success. For more information, visit stempremier.com.