STEM Starts Now: Celebrating STEM Week 2024
Every October, Massachusetts STEM Week encourages the exploration of STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Sponsored by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the statewide event is organized by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education and the STEM Advisory Council. This year’s theme, STEM Starts Now, boosts awareness of STEM learning for all age groups, from the youngest children to older adults. Bostonians took the theme to heart, hosting events across the city for all age groups to enjoy.
STEM in Education
The week kicked off by featuring some of the smallest STEM learners, preschool children, at the Boston Children’s Museum. Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, the Massachusetts Secretary of Education and the co-chair of the STEM Advisory Council, gave remarks about the importance of STEM exploration for young children. The museum highlighted their STEAM programming— STEM plus Art — which promotes problem-solving, curiosity, and creativity.
Members of the Career Services team at the Citywide College, Career, and STEM Fair.
STEM Week also coincides with College and Career Month. Throughout the month, Boston Public Schools coordinated college visits and hosted several events, ranging from mock interviews to resume and cover letter workshops. “Throughout October we’ve been helping students think more about their future in terms of postsecondary education and careers,” says Jimmy Wyman, Director of Career Services. “STEM week allows us to highlight what options are out there for students in those fields.”
At the Citywide College, Career, and STEM Fair on Saturday, October 19th, students and families explored resources for higher education, career paths, and STEM opportunities. The PIC Career Services team brought the “T” in STEM to the event at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury with their immersive career exploration experience—virtual reality headsets. Through VR technology, students were able to virtually experience several different careers, from repairing a knee as a surgeon to fixing an electrical tower as an engineer.
Suffolk Construction Field Trip
Private employers also joined in on the STEM Week fun. Suffolk Construction opened the doors of their Roxbury headquarters to students from four Boston schools. “Suffolk is thrilled to host students from Roxbury Prep, Madison Park, O’Bryant, and New Mission, as part of MA STEM Week,” says Madison Caro‑Leverich, Senior Manager of Corporate Giving at Suffolk Construction. “By integrating education and hands-on learning in STEM fields, we aim to inspire the next generation and equip them with the skills needed for the evolving workforce.”
Students enjoying the construction site visit led by Suffolk Construction.
The fun-filled day of learning began with several speakers from Suffolk, who spoke on key STEM topics like sustainability and AI. Students were then split into smaller groups to connect more personally with Suffolk employees, discussing everything from mental health to their own educational and career journeys. Afterwards, students had the opportunity to tour a working construction site. Dressed in personal protective equipment, the students viewed all four stories of what will become the new Roxbury Prep Charter School.
Students resonated with Suffolk’s programming, particularly the construction site visit. Says Danial Khan, a senior at John D. O’Bryant, “The tour was amazing. I didn’t know anything about the construction field or anything about it, so this really helped me see it from a different perspective. I didn’t realize there was so much behind the scenes, so much company work, so much teamwork behind it.”
The Importance of STEM
In addition to events aimed at students, members of the PIC team also celebrated STEM during the week. Director of Employer Engagement Josh Bruno and Employer Engagement Manager Betsy Hamre attended the SIM Boston Technology Leadership Summit at Gillette Stadium. Joined by PIC alum Spartacus Jean, they connected with local technology professionals to introduce Tech Apprentice, PIC’s initiative that connects tech-leaning students to summer internships in the sector.
Spartacus Jean, pictured at the SIM Boston Technology Leadership Summit.
Jean knows firsthand the impact of Tech Apprentice. As a high school student, he interned at DTCC, an experience that set the trajectory for his career. “Tech Apprentice helped because it provided me an early introduction to the tech industry,” says Jean, a Senior Financial Analyst and graduate of University of Massachusetts Amherst. “Because of that early-on experience, I’ve worked in the tech industry for the past three years and attribute that to PIC’s early support.”
From preschoolers to high school students to adults of all ages, STEM Week 2024 brought together the Boston community in support of the curiosity and learning encouraged in STEM. We’d like to express our thanks to the MA STEM Advisory Council for organizing the impactful week, and a special thank you to Suffolk Construction for hosting students and providing a hands-on learning experience.
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