It’s more important than ever to attract kids to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, but long-standing stereotypes (science is for nerds, math is boring) get in the way. According to a 2005 Minnesota Department of Education survey, only 11 percent of 8th graders and 21 percent of 10th graders say they would consider science-oriented careers.
The Minnesota High Tech Association, a trade organization based in Minneapolis, is leading the charge to get kids interested in these jobs by connecting businesses with schools. Medtronic, for instance, sponsors competitive high-school robot-building teams and provides employees to coach them—the students learn about science from people who love what they do, and employees with STEM skills have a little fun while cultivating future technology workers.
In April, the association also launched Minnesota MentorNet, an e-mail mentoring program that matches up-and-coming STEM teachers with industry veterans for professional development.
