Organizations partner to get kids excited about STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, STEM for short, are important in our everyday lives. That’s why the Idaho STEM Action Center wants to get kids interested by partnering with the Museum of Idaho.

“We have phenomenal opportunities to interact with a variety of educators including those here at the Museum of Idaho through grants and professional development we can really expand STEM education for Idaho students and hopefully inspire them to go into STEM careers,” says Angela Hemingway, Executive Director of Idaho STEM Action Center.

Which is lacking in the state of Idaho.

“Last year alone we had over 6,000 unfilled STEM jobs which means Idahoans missed out on over 350 million dollars in personal income and state tax revenue was down by 20 million dollars, so it’s critical that students learn about stem careers and all of the opportunities that exist right here in Idaho,” says Hemingway.

They say bringing interactive exhibits into play make kids interested.

“We want to get kids excited and learning about STEM in the real world. I think that experiencing something with your hands. Seeing it with your own eyes makes those stem possibilities real,” says Chloe Doucette, Director of Education at the Museum of Idaho.

“Out of school opportunities are critical. They actually spend about 80 percent of their time outside of the classroom and coming to venues like the museum give them the freedom to explore and to do these hands-on activities that they may not get to experience in their traditional classrooms,” says Hemingway.

Which they say will improve our future.

“By learning about stem they are able to change our world for the better,” says Doucette.