(RALEIGH) -- Jobs in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM fields, will increase by 20 percent over the next five years, but the U.S. is falling behind in students who enter those fields. Leaders in those areas are hoping to encourage young people to pursue STEM education by matching them with mentors.

Mary Rollins of Discovery Education said the key is to relate STEM education to something students already have an interest in. "We want them to look around their own community, their own world and think about and issue that's of importance to them.  Our winner last year worked on a project that created a helmet for young football players to be able to possibly detect concussions," said Rollins.

Rollins said it is vital for students to consider STEM fields so the U.S. can maintain a global competitive edge.