Explore, learn and prepare at third annual STEM Exploration Night

Event offers scholars and families a chance to explore and learn about career pathways in science, technology, engineering and math.

By Federal Way Public Schools

The third annual STEM Exploration Night is coming up on March 27. Federal Way Public Schools preK-12th grade scholars and their families are invited to attend this exciting event at Federal Way High School from 6-8 p.m.

This event offers scholars and their families a chance to explore and learn about career pathways in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). There are many STEM career opportunities that scholars can explore such as emergency medical technician, engineer, software developer, computer systems analyst, biomedical technician, web developer, machinist, and so much more.

For the past two years, this event has been a huge success, with thousands of scholars, families, and community members in attendance.

“This event is about teaching kids more and more about careers and college,” said a FWPS seventh-grade student who attended last year.

The theme for this year’s event is “Everyday STEM” and there will be Everyday STEM vehicles and Everyday STEM booths. Also new to this year’s event is a STEM Film Festival, where scholar produced films about “Everyday STEM” will premiere.

Similar to previous years, there will be more than 80 booths filled with representatives from local STEM companies and higher education programs, including Boeing, Microsoft Xbox, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, St. Francis Hospital, University of Washington Tacoma and Highline College. This gives scholars an opportunity to hear more about STEM careers first-hand and ask questions about post-graduate options.

“Learning about STEM is important because you get to have those experiences before college so it should help you when you get to college,” said another seventh-grade student who attended the event last year.

Scholars and their families will also be able to participate in engaging and interactive activities including Sphero Golf Courses, a Hack-a-thon, Chess Tournament and a Microsoft Experience Room.

Parking is limited at Federal Way High School, so there are six bus routes running to and from the event, stopping at schools and local apartment complexes.

More information, including bus routes and permission slips, is available on the FWPS app and at www.fwps.org/STEMExpo.

STEM Exploration Night is in direct support of the district’s strategic plan Goal 5, Persistence to Graduation: High School Graduation Through Successful Transitions. It offers an opportunity for scholars to explore multiple career pathways and help prepare them for college, career, and post-secondary experiences.