The STEM Challenge Program
STEM Challenges are real-world projects that create opportunities for high school students to work alongside STEM professionals. Mentors from STEM Challenge company partners collaborate with students over the course of six months to explore and create innovative solutions to issues facing a wide range of modern industries. Over the course of the project, students gain exposure, develop skills, and build the confidence necessary to envision and pursue a career in STEM. To learn more about the impact, watch our programming video and check out this year’s STEM Challenges!
PARTNERS
2023-24 IMPACT
%
Of student participants increased or maintained their ability to see themselves in a STEM role.
%
Of student participants reported being more confident in their STEM skills, including communication, collaboration, and problem solving.
%
Of student participants had their first experience with a professional mentor through the STEM Challenge.
How It Works
STEM Challenges begin with their namesake—the challenge! ISTC Education works with company partners to develop customized challenge statements inspired by real issues facing the industry. These challenges give students the opportunity to practice design thinking, communication, and other critical STEM skills.
Company employees volunteer as mentors who guide, encourage, and support students throughout the project, which lasts between four and six months. The program follows a hybrid model, giving participants the fulfillment of 2-3 in-person connections and the flexibility of weekly communication on ISTC Education’s virtual mentoring platform, the Mentor Matching Engine.
When the program concludes, students present their solutions back to their mentors and company partner. One student group from each classroom will move onto the statewide showcase in April. This event is a celebration of process, innovation, and creativity demonstrated by students throughout the STEM Challenge.
