DECEMBER BLOG: my Reflection on sySTEMnow

By Theresa Wolf

As we wrap up the 21st Annual sySTEMnow Conference, which also marks my third year of planning the event, I reflect on the incredible energy this gathering brings to our STEM community. Every fall, STEM Forward brings together K-12 educators, higher education leaders, industry professionals, collaborators, and STEM thought leaders at the Italian Community Center in downtown Milwaukee to engage in vital conversations around key issues in STEM, like talent development and education.

The 2024 conference was a vibrant success, featuring three rounds of breakout sessions, "Generation STEM" student project displays, and two inspiring keynote speakers. An AI-generated summary of the survey comments captured the day perfectly: “The conference provided valuable networking opportunities, new ideas for supporting STEM education, and inspiration to connect industry with schools while also offering insights into career pathways, real-world applications, and ways to motivate and guide students towards successful futures in STEM.”

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Our morning speaker, Ted Wells, co-founder and president of STEMconnector, highlighted the growing importance of STEM in the workforce and society. His talk emphasized the value of STEM education in preparing informed, responsible citizens and the need for equitable access. He discussed national STEM trends, including the increasing involvement of government, industry, and education in shaping the future workforce. Key takeaways included:

  • STEM Education Values: We need to focus on STEM literacy and preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow.

  • National Trends: New policies and technological advances, like AI and biotechnology, are reshaping industries and creating new career opportunities, including non-degree pathways in fields like advanced manufacturing.

  • Wisconsin’s Role: Ted praised the state’s growing regional STEM ecosystem, positioning it to benefit from national trends in manufacturing and technology. As a part of the STEM Forward team, I see this in action daily as we inspire tomorrow’s STEM workforce.

    Ted also called for continued professional development for educators and an inclusive, adaptive approach to STEM education, particularly in emerging fields like AI, biotechnology, and green tech.

In the afternoon, we welcomed Captain Barrington Irving, founder of Flying Classroom, who shared his extraordinary journey from a disinterested student in Jamaica to becoming a global aviator and educator. Barrington’s story is an inspiring testament to the power of mentorship and real-world STEM applications. His speech highlighted three key points for inspiring future STEM leaders:

  1. STEM as a Bridge to Career Success: Barrington illustrated how STEM concepts—once seen as abstract—are essential for real-world problem-solving. Highlighting interconnected STEM concepts in a hands-on, real-world application can spark curiosity, develop critical thinking skills, and lead to meaningful career opportunities.

  2. The Power of Mentorship: He shared how key mentors helped spark his passion for aviation and opened doors to real-world opportunities, underscoring the critical role of educators in engaging students early with practical applications of school subjects and connecting them to career paths.

  3. Resilience and Workforce Development: Barrington’s journey to becoming the youngest person to fly around the world at 23, despite numerous challenges, emphasizes the importance of perseverance and creativity in overcoming obstacles. He also highlighted the urgent need for specialized training programs to address the skilled labor shortages in fields like aviation, offering solutions through programs that upskill individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Barrington’s message calls for a shift in education toward more practical, immersive, and relevant experiences that not only connect students to real-world applications but also equip them with the skills to thrive in industries with growing workforce demands.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS:

Each year, members of our community lead thought-provoking breakout sessions on a variety of topics, including resources for K-12 classrooms, supporting underrepresented groups in STEM, continuing education for STEM professionals, and collaboration ideas for the broader STEM community. This year’s event featured many highly-rated sessions, including:

  • Healing Math Trauma – A Better Math Experience for Teachers, Students, and Parents
    This session provided activities and strategies to improve students’ interest and success in math. Feedback included comments like, “Very engaging and informative; we’ll be using techniques in our company meetings,” and “That’s how we get students engaged and enthusiastic about Math!”

  • Soaring in STEM – A Women’s Perspective
    This session highlighted strategies to encourage young females to pursue STEM careers and discussed successful retention practices. Feedback included high regards to SWE for presenting and sharing their perspectives, stating, “It was very interesting to hear what activities inspired them when they were young to pursue an engineering career.”

  • Unleashing Your Partnership Potential
    This speaker focused on strategies to scale and strengthen partnerships and recruit talent into businesses. Feedback included “Great session with lots of ideas for how industry can get involved with more school programs” and “Very useful information and productive networking session.”

We encourage you to stay tuned for our upcoming breakout RFP window to present at next year’s sySTEMnow conference as we look to the community to share their expertise and contribute to addressing key STEM issues.

GEN STEM DISPLAYS:

A standout feature of the sySTEMnow Conference is the Gen STEM Displays, where students serve as exhibitors. This innovative approach allows them to showcase their STEM projects, fostering pride in their accomplishments while helping them develop essential presentation and communication skills. It also inspires them to pursue careers as future STEM professionals. Each year highlights different STEM projects, and this year featured the Golda Girls 2.0 from Golda Meir, creators of the “Best Overall Innovation” in the Make48 competition; NASA innovators from Glen Hills Middle School; the Light the Hone project from the St. Francis Robotics Team; and many others.

““It was great conversing with the students and seeing the kinds of activities and projects they have completed while in school. It made me feel hopeful for the next generation of STEM leaders!””
— Conference Attendee

SAVE THE DATE:

Mark your calendars for next year’s sySTEMnow Conference on October 29, 2025! With 97% of past attendees reporting that they found great value and would recommend the event, this conference is an opportunity for educators, industry professionals, and STEM enthusiasts to come together. Join us for insightful breakout sessions, inspiring keynote speakers, and engaging networking opportunities. Whether you’re looking to enhance your STEM knowledge, build valuable partnerships, or explore new ideas to support students and professionals in STEM, sySTEMnow offers something for everyone. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this dynamic and impactful event – see you there next year!

-Theresa Wolf, Program Manager, STEM Forward

Posted December 2024 by Maureen Haeger, Marketing Communications & Program Manager, STEM Forward.