Experts hoping enthusiasm can turn around youth STEM trends

Experts hoping enthusiasm can turn around youth STEM trends Harrison Klopp KSTP Experts hoping enthusiasm can turn around youth STEM trends Experts at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ K-12 STEM Showcase Sunday discussed what needs to be done about Minnesota kids falling below state standards in STEM-related fields. College students led activities for local children and talked about how STEM connects to real-world problems. “We’re trying to teach third through fifth grades about experimental design, so we’re having the kids design pinwheels with changing different variables,” said Hannah Duckwitz. Duckwitz, a University of Florida senior, was among the college students taking part in the event. Organizers used the showcase to highlight the importance of STEM for children at an early age. “Kids this young need to hear from somebody who is excited about a field like Chemical Engineering; they need to hear that it’s fun and they need to hear that they can make an impact, a real impact,” said David Parrillo. Parrillo, an American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) board member, said that message is especially important as recent Minnesota Compass data shows 27% of fifth graders in the state meet state science standards and 42% of eighth graders meet state math standards. “It’s not just here in Minneapolis or in Minnesota. It’s nationwide … we have to reach out to our young people to talk to them about STEM; here we’re talking about engineering, but any STEM field, but they have to know that we’re excited about it for them to be excited about it,” said Parrillo. Duckwitz said she hopes children leave the showcase with the same enthusiasm she has for science and learning. “It’s my favorite part; it’s why I’m doing this in the first place, is to teach these kids about these concepts and interact with them … it’s always so fun,” said Duckwitz. For more information about AIChE, click here . Follow Reporter Harrison Klopp on social media at: READ HARRISON’S LATEST STORIES