OSHKOSH, Wis. — Careers in science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM — are expected to grow by over 11% by 2031, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Labor.

What You Need To Know

  • Careers in science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM — are expected to grow by over 11% by 2031, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Labor

  • All classrooms at Carl Traeger Elementary participated in National STEM Day which encourages children to explore science, technology, engineering and math through fun challenges

  • Teachers said getting kids interested in STEM careers should start while they’re young

Carl Traeger Elementary, in the Oshkosh Area School District, is working to grow Wisconsin’s next generation of STEM talent. 

All classrooms at Carl Traeger Elementary participated in National STEM Day which encourages children to explore science, technology, engineering and math through fun challenges.

Annie Zhang is in the third grade, and already has big plans for a career in STEM.

“I want to be a NASA engineer, because I just want to find out what’s beyond earth,” Zhang said.

The path to help Zhang soar through the universe starts with simple STEM activities like creating a corn maze with LEGOs.

Zhang’s teacher, Heather Branson, said designing and planning corn mazes helps stimulate innovation in young minds.

“We are taking what we’ve learned in science and math class and being able to actually use it to create a maze. This also works into our engineering standards that we use to make sure that students understand how the engineering process works, and the trial and error that goes into creating a project,” Branson said.

Amy Monigal is the school’s technology integration coach.

She’s helping kindergarteners create parachutes with paper cups, coffee filters and chenille stems.

Monigal said getting kids interested in STEM careers should start while they’re young.

“If students are not turned on to science or technology, engineering, math, robotics, if they’re not exposed to that at an early age, it’s less likely that they are going to continue on that career path or make those make those class choices when they get into middle school and then again in high school,” Monigal said.

Zhang completed her colorful LEGO corn maze. While Zhang’s LEGO project was successful, that may not always be the outcome.

So, Branson is teaching how her third graders handle defeat. She said she hopes to teach her class the most important STEM lesson: A setback can be set up for success.

“One of the best things I like about STEM activities is giving kids the opportunity to fail and to realize that through failure, we have a chance to try again and an opportunity to make something even better,” Branson said.

Related Stories