Of the thirty projected fastest-growing occupations through 2016, sixteen of them require substantial mathematics or science preparation. Historically, engineering and technical careers have been a primary upward economic path for students from disadvantaged backgrounds but today such students are severely underrepresented in these careers, and too few students overall are prepared to meet projected workforce needs. Recent studies show that design-based teaching of science concepts results in superior student knowledge gain, engagement, and retention compared to scripted-inquiry teaching. Students working to solve interesting, real problems see the relevance of science and mathematics skills, are motivated to master those skills, and have the opportunity to practice them in a process that is fundamentally different from learning science and mathematics through expository instruction.