How to Encourage STEM Involvement for Middle Schoolers

We know our children have a natural curiosity for science. The next step is to encourage this curiosity into a rewarding college experience and career. I’ll show you a few ways to get started with your child in middle school.

Successful STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – students are likely to be avid readers, strong writers, willing to collaborate with others, and ask questions to better understand subjects.

Plan to use your Summers wisely by getting creative and make things with your hands, brush up on your math, and read science related books.

Clubs, Camps & Volunteering

Look into these opportunities for middle schoolers

Clubs

Summer Camps

Volunteering

MESA Scholar Program with University of the Pacific http://mesa.ucop.edu/

Engineering and Robotics Lab (SJCOE) http://robotics.sjcoe.net/

Builder’s Club (Kiwanis) http://www.buildersclub.org/

Society of Hispanic Engineers SHPE.org

Prep USA – Reach for the Stars Academy http://www.astrojh.com/

Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library http://www.ssjcpl.org/involved/volunteer.html

MAES http://mymaes.org/

InnoWorks at UC Berkeley http://www.innoworks.org/

Reinvent South Stockton Youth Council https://www.facebook.com/reinventsouthstockton/

No STEM clubs at your school? Start one!
Look into out-of-state camp opportunities such as Brown Leadership Institute
Volunteer locally with a parent or school counselor

A Look Ahead

Plan now for your college future! This is a brief list of top schools and scholarships.

Colleges & Universities 

  • California Institute of Technology
  • Colorado School of Mines
  • Missouri University of Science & Technology
  • Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Continue your search online with keywords – “best”, “STEM Colleges”, “Engineering” or “Medical” college  

Scholarships

  • Thermo Scientific Pierce Scholarship Program
  • Scholarship America’s Dream Award
  • The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program
  • Start your search locally within Stockton, San Joaquin County, then California and Nationally
  • Look ahead for science competitions where you can win cash such as the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology

Career & Salaries

Brief list of high level STEM careers and salaries. Search further careers online!

STEM Career Salary Range

Science

Dentist, Physician, Biochemist

$186,000 – $105,000

Technology

Computer Systems Analyst, Information Security Analyst, Web Developer

$113,000 – $81,000

Engineering

Electrical, Civil, Mechanical, Biomedical

$97,000 – $87,000

Math

Accountant, Cost Estimator, Statisticians

$84,000 – $64,000

Work sited:
The Washington Post, Five habits of great students: Lessons from top-ranked STEM school,  Valerie Strauss February 20, 2013
US News and World Report, Prepare for College Class as a STEM Major, Delece Smith-Barrow June 14, 2014
US News and World Report, Top-Ranked Universities That Grant the Most STEM Degrees Robert Morse and Diane Tolis June 18, 2013
50 Top College Scholarships for 2014-2015 http://www.collegechoice.net/50-top-college-scholarships/
US News and World Report, Best STEM Jobs 2015 http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-stem-jobs
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#15-0000

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