The goal of this chapter is to analyze the current U.S. approach to serving adolescents who are talented and interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The first section of this chapter reviews the status of national government investments in STEM and contrasts it with private and local funding. The second section addresses key problems we view as obstacles to meeting national goals. Next we describe policy proposals that might be implemented in the future. We close by posing a challenge to our colleagues, the response to which could assist us in restoring the appeal of STEM careers for our talented youth, and perhaps offer insights into the obstacles and opportunities that exist in our colleagues' own nations.