ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

STEM pipeline

The "STEM pipeline" is a way that people talk about how people learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (also known as "STEM"). The pipeline is like a big imaginary tube that people go through as they learn about these things, kind of like going through a big water slide at a park!

The people going through the pipeline can be anyone, but we often talk about kids in school who are interested in STEM. They start at the beginning of the pipeline when they first learn about science, math, and technology in school.

As they go through school, they learn more and more about STEM subjects. Sometimes they might go to fun events or clubs like science fairs or coding clubs that help them get even more interested in STEM. All of these things help them move through the pipeline.

When they finish school, they are at the end of the pipeline. At this point, they might go to college (which is like the next part of the pipeline) to learn even more about STEM. Then, they might get a job in a STEM field like being an engineer or a scientist.

So the STEM pipeline is just a way to talk about how people learn about STEM and move through different stages of their lives as they learn more and more about science, technology, engineering, and math.