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w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m July 2015 • /INSIGHT ON MANUFACTURING | 11 MANUFACTURERS AND EDUCATORS KNOW there's a growing skills gap, and one solution is engaging young people in STEM classes, or science, technology, engineering and math. There's huge potential for increasing engagement among half the student population in particular. Education leaders hope to get more girls — a group considered under- represented — interested in STEM early on, and it's largely about awareness. "A fair amount of research shows that if girls aren't thinking about science and engineering in elementary school, there's a good chance they won't at all," says Eric Brunsell, UW-Oshkosh education professor and author of a book on science teaching standards. "So making sure they're having a good science and engineering experience in that formative elementary stage is important." Colleges around the New North region are working with both girls and boys to build interest in STEM this summer. Moraine Park Technical College held its Toolin' It Manufacturing Camp, which explores careers in the industry with hands-on activities and visits to local companies. NWTC holds multiple types of tech camps for kids, such as computer building, welding and LEGOLAND supply chain building. UW-Green Bay, which is launching its new engineering bachelor's program this fall, holds robotics and STEM summer camps. In addition to a number of summer activities for kids, UW-Oshkosh held a workshop for 60 elementary school districts in June. The program, led by Brunsell, aimed to help teachers at school districts in Fond du Lac, Menasha, Oshkosh, Kenosha and Racine find ways to improve STEM courses in elementary schools. "In general, I think we're doing better in most fields," Brunsell says. "We have a recognition of the way that STEM fields have been perceived, not just by girls but by all youth, as far as what types of people pursue them. We're focused on changing that, that there's a place for people of all backgrounds." Changing the perception takes efforts on a number of fronts, including having educators who are excited about integrating STEM into their classrooms. Policy changes at the state level to improve career awareness also help. A survey of several hundred ninth-graders showed most were able to name only one or two fields of engineering. "There was definitely a lack of understanding as to what the profession was," Brunsell says. "I definitely see a bigger emphasis on career planning and career awareness." A new STEM mentoring program at UW-Fox Valley, led by assistant professors Carrie Tirel and Jamie Douglas, is focused on building that career awareness. In June, the Women's Fund for the Fox Valley Region Inc. gave a $10,000 grant for the program, which has several goals: to build a peer support network among the students, to build a mentorship system with faculty and staff and to build relationships with area companies and women E D U C AT I O N & T R A I N I N G Building awareness Colleges work to create more interest in STEM fields — particularly among girls BY NIKKI KALLIO The first Girls in the Shop day camp at Fox Valley Technical College helped high school-age girls get hands-on experience with computer-aided design, welding and other aspects of manufacturing. The aim of the program is to help build awareness about the types of STEM careers available to them. P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F F O X V A L L E Y T E C H N I C A L C O L L E G E "A fair amount of research shows that if girls aren't thinking about science and engineering in elementary school, there's a good chance they won't at all." — Eric Brunsell, UW-Oshkosh education professor