; (2) the Federal Government plays a key role in developing and sustaining a STEM-capable workforce by working with stakeholders at all levels, including researchers, practitioners, industry, and State and local governments to support and promote evidence-based approaches; (3) applying a more holistic view of the STEM workforce that moves beyond academic degrees and occupations will highlight the contributions and opportunities for workers at all education levels; (4) increasing the diversity and inclusion in the STEM workforce is needed to help address the STEM skills shortage; (5) supporting an interdisciplinary approach to STEM learning, where academic concepts are coupled with real-world applications and students use STEM in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the wider world will improve outcomes for students in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education and for skilled technical workers in different career stages; (6) leveraging private and nonprofit investments in STEM education will be essential to strengthening the Federal STEM portfolio