Energy has been and will continue to be a driving force in not only engineering but across humanity. Much of our economic, political, and societal structures are so heavily influenced by this topic. While we have recognized many sources of generating energy available to us, storing and delivering energy in a cost-effective and efficient way can be quite challenging, especially when it comes to renewable sources. Engineers are among those tasked with taking on these challenges and creating solutions that the world can implement.
In order to prime our future engineers and any potential workers in the energy sector, STEM education is key for our children. This article from Digital Journal brings attention to this matter and highlights some of the efforts that are being made to ensure this progression. With the hope of increasing renewable energy resources such as solar, this also brings the anticipation of jobs needed in those sectors. Filling jobs requires skilled workers, so the need to arm future workers with the education and skills needed in these fields is becoming more evident.
The article highlights STEM-focused fairs that are being leveraged to provide exposure and learning opportunities in this field for K-12 students. In particular, the article mentions Energy Day, a free family event for students and their families looking to enhance their education in STEM fields with locations in two cities. According to Digital Journal, “the aim of the Energy Day Festivals will be to open up the opportunities for students to interact with exhibits so that their interest in STEM and the energy sector can be stimulated.”
Interested in launching your own STEM fair to inspire the next generation of engineers? Be sure to check out the TryEngineering Volunteer STEM Portal where you can find a variety of pre-university STEM outreach programs around the world including volunteer-led STEM fairs and competitions. If you are an educator looking for resources on energy education, be sure to check out TryEngineering Tuesday: Utility of the Future, TryEngineering energy-focused lesson plans such as Solar Structures and Working with Watermills, and this career pathway on Power and Nuclear Engineering.