Childhood career dreams reach new heights
A total of 68 students representing 22 Michigan K-12 schools participated in Saginaw STEM’s May 20 Stem Saturday event entitled The Power of Wind and Renewable Energy. Kneeling at right is Saginaw STEM founder Dante Davis.
Michigan students participate in Saginaw STEM event
June 7, 2023
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up—a doctor, a teacher, a firefighter, a nurse, maybe an astronaut?
What about a rollercoaster engineer, fragrance chemist, automotive technician or food scientist?
While the school year officially is coming to a close, thousands of students in Michigan and across the United States continue to learn about career opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). To advance awareness of STEM career opportunities, Saginaw STEM recently hosted a hands-on event entitled The Power of Wind and Renewable Energy.
Part of the organization’s STEM Saturday series is supported by a $10,000 grant from Enbridge. The May 20 event focused on teaching students the principles of simple circuits, electricity and wind energy. After learning how circuits work, 68 students representing 22 Michigan K-12 schools put their knowledge into action, creating different kinds of circuits. From there, the students designed, built and tested their own windmill.
“STEM skills are in high demand,” said Dante Davis, founder of Saginaw STEM. “The STEM Saturday series provides students in the Great Lakes Bay Region a combination of instruction and hands-on experience. They get to apply what they learn in an interactive manner, which helps keep them engaged as they explore a world of possibilities.”
Image gallery: Saginaw STEM
Saginaw STEM's event, The Power of Wind and Renewable Energy, was held on May 20, 2023 with the support of a $10,000 Fueling Futures grant from Enbridge, and drew 68 students representing 22 K-12 schools across Michigan.
Saginaw STEM provides an array of cost-free programs to students of all ages and experience levels. Davis notes one of the not-for-profit organization’s primary goals is to build interest and knowledge while inspiring future leaders, including within minority and low-income communities, historically underserved in STEM education and underrepresented in STEM careers.
“Saginaw STEM is a wonderful resource for Michigan.”
—Candice Braddock, Michigan-based Enbridge senior community engagement advisor
Making a difference for Michigan youth
“Saginaw STEM is a wonderful resource for Michigan,” said Candice Braddock, Enbridge senior community engagement advisor. “Its programs are designed to show youth the variety of opportunities that await them whether they follow the academic track or trades. The organization reaches communities, throughout the Great Lakes Bay, and Enbridge is honored to support its efforts.”
In 2022, Enbridge invested more than $16.3 million in community-strengthening initiatives across its operations. The grants and sponsorships supported organizations and nonprofits, including those with STEM-focused initiatives, in three focus areas—Safe Communities, Vibrant Communities and Sustainable Communities.
