Tomorrow's science, technology, engineering and math workforce starts with early education. Sadly, there is an education gap in these areas that needs to be closed if children are to become the STEM-skilled workers that businesses need to compete globally.

The CEO of the Fred Rogers Company, a strong supporter of overcoming this education gap, knows that challenging children in the early years of their development to become good at math and science will start them on the path to success in the workforce.

Sponsored by Community Services for Children, the Lehigh Valley Early Learning Coalition and PBS39, the Nov. 12 Early Education STEM Summit focused on the need for support and funding in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Fred Rogers Company CEO William Isler, who chairs the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission and a panel of early childhood education experts, spoke to a group of about 50 community leaders at PBS39 in Bethlehem.

Michelle Powers, executive vice president of Human Resources for Crayolla LLC, focused on the need for skilled workers in these areas. Powers, who is also a Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission member, said that as an employer the need for a skilled workforce is a priority. When it comes to jobs that require science, technology, engineering or math, there are two jobs for each person with these skills.

Jane Ervin, president and CEO of Community Services for Children, said that while the state's budget has not decreased in the area of early childhood education, more funding from private sources would offer a worthwhile investment in the future of children and the health of the state's economy.

Ervin, who works with Lehigh Valley business leaders to promote high quality early learning programs, shared a goal of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission to build a permanent sustainable network of business leaders who have a vested interest in the educational development of children.

A 35-year study found that investing in high quality early childhood education programs can save taxpayers' money through reduction in crime, welfare and remedial education program costs. An $8,000 investment at birth brings nearly an $800,000 return over a child's life. That is a 10 percent-a-year return on investment or ROI.

Education experts know that programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start offer quality early childhood education, but these programs are only serving 14 percent of the eligible children in the Lehigh Valley, according to Pennsylvania Promise for Children. In the state, 750,000 children under age 5 are at-risk for school failure.

Kathleen Ott, Ed.D., director of data, grants and special programs for the Northampton Area School District, reinforced the idea that money spent on early childhood education brings positive returns.

In Ott's district, a Striving Readers Grant and Head Start programs helped at-risk pre-schoolers become kindergarten-ready which greatly improved their chances to succeed in school.

As a medical director for outpatient pediatrics for the Lehigh Valley Health Network, Dr. Jarret Patton shared his research and experience on the importance of providing quality educational activities at an early age. There is little doubt in these educators' minds that getting off to a good start not only insures positive results for the child but also a competitive workforce and a stronger economy.