STEM--the catchy shorthand for "science, technology, engineering and mathematics"--has been part of the school improvement discussion for more than a decade, as educational leaders and policy makers have underscored the importance of these areas in preparing students for an internationally competitive, 21st-century economy. But while the acronym may roll off the tongue, building and implementing programs that emphasize STEM subjects has proved easier said than done, as districts have faced challenges from financing STEM initiatives, to finding and training good science teachers, to simply making more room in the school day to offer more science. Over the past two years, though, the STEM movement has shown signs of taking root, as district leaders say they are finding public and private funding to develop STEM-related curricula, ramping up professional development, and even launching dedicated STEM academies from San Antonio to Baltimore. Earlier this year, the STEM movement received an added boost during President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, in which he placed STEM high on the list of the nation's educational priorities. Recent national developments--including Obama's endorsement, the importance placed on STEM in awarding states federal Race to the Top funds, and the looming reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind law--have all given proponents hope that STEM programs will become more common.