Part One of this two-part series surfaces and addresses broad equity issues in STEM education, including: examining through an equity lens the relationship between K-12 STEM education and STEM-related careers; exploring equity issues in STEM education, including issues of access, representation, and rigor of STEM curricula and instruction for underserved populations; and critically examining systemic structures, policies, and practices that affect student participation in STEM-related courses and co-curricular activities.