STEM sparks excitement at Arizona Stadium

Over 600 middle schoolers in Tucson explored STEM through interactive activities at Arizona Stadium, learning to “engineer a football game.”

Why it matters: STEM education is crucial for opening career paths in industries needing support.

• Events like these demonstrate real-world applications, inspiring students to pursue engineering.

By the numbers: Students engaged with four stations covering transportation, utilities, and structural engineering, guided by industry professionals.

What they’re saying: “STEM can affect their lives and help them solve problems,” said Mike Olson, civil engineer and event organizer.

• Richard Dwyer, an 8th grader, expressed excitement for his future in electrical or software engineering. “I enjoy how hands-on it is, and I enjoy learning from someone who knows what they’re talking about. I wanna be either an electrical or software engineer when I grow up. So, I wanna do all the lights and stuff.”

The bottom line: This day was made possible by the dozens of volunteers in the workforce who showed up for the students. “Science, technology, math, and engineering all work together to really open up a lot of avenues for these kids,” Olson said.

Watch a video of an earlier ACEC Arizona STEM event from February of this year: