The success of the United States in the 21st century will depend on the ideas and skills of its population. These have always been the nation's most important assets. As the world becomes increasingly technological, the value of these national assets will be determined by the effectiveness of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. However, the United States lags behind other nations in STEM education at the elementary and secondary levels. International comparisons of students' performance in science and mathematics consistently place the United States in the middle of the pack or lower. Moreover, there is a large interest and achievement gap among some groups in STEM. Despite these troubling signs, the nation has great strengths on which it can draw. In 2009, President Obama asked his President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to develop specific recommendations on actions the administration should take to ensure the U.S. is a leader in STEM education. PCAST decided to focus initially on the K-12 level. This article presents recommendations and goals for transforming STEM education.