Developing the Next STEM Generation

With nearly 29,000 members across the world representing all aspects of the A/E/C industry, SAME is the premier platform for the collaboration and development of multidisciplined solutions to the major challenges facing our nation’s engineering community. As identified in the 2025 SAME Strategic Plan, one of the most critical needs is ensuring a steady pipeline of inspired and dedication STEM professionals ready to take on the mantle of today’s engineers. This Engineers’ Week, SAME looks back at how members across the local, regional, and national levels are leveraging the unique platform SAME provides to develop future engineering leaders and reaching out to students across the nation to get them engaged in STEM.

FOCUSING ON THE LOCAL

SAME’s Posts are where the Society makes its most local and community-focused impact. Through over 100 Posts, both domestic and international, and the nearly 50 Student Chapters supported by the Posts, SAME members made real connections with students. Along with the many events hosted over the last year, SAME Posts manage an extensive scholarship program to encourage high school seniors to pursue engineering and STEM-related careers in college. In 2021 alone, SAME Posts awarded 533 scholarships, totaling $810,450.

The Panama City Post and FSU Panama City Student Chapter partnered to bring together a STEM day for young girls. During the morning sessions, attendees enjoyed hands-on exhibits and labs, and a panel discussion featuring professional women in STEM careers. After lunch, attendees broke into small groups for a group STEM activity that asked them to design a raft from basic materials that would support at least 50 pennies before sinking. The event was organized and moderated by Amabelle Paquia Marchiby, Breiana Leingang, FSU Panama City Student Chapter President, Tiffany Castricone, and Angela Nocera, F.SAME.

The Sacramento Post hosted a Women in STEM Panel, which was attended by more than 80 attendees including esteemed leaders from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Moderated by SAME President-Elect Cindy Lincicome, F.SAME, the discussion gave speakers the opportunity to share stories, offer lessons learned, and provide practical tools on how the industry can support and elevate female leaders. Panelists included Brig. Gen. Antoinette Gant, USA, Commander, USACE South Pacific Division, Col. Julie Balten, USA, Commander, USACE Los Angeles District; and Maj. Gen. Laura Yeager, ARNG, Commander of the National Guard’s 40th Infantry Division.

The Savannah Post helped sponsor the Herschel V. Jenkins FIRST Robotics Team, which recently completed its season with a final competition at the Peachtree District State Championship. The students were awarded the Excellence in Engineering Award due to demonstrated professional approach to the design process for their robot. The team previously attended the PCH District Columbus Event, where it placed 8th and won the Excellence in Engineering Award, and the PCH District Albany Event, placing 13th and winning the Innovation in Control Award.

The Atlanta Post and Georgia Tech Student Chapter held a joint meeting at Georgia Tech Research Institute featuring a live demonstration using virtual reality. Col. Anne Clark, Ph.D., USAF (Ret.), Senior Research Associate with the Electronic Systems Laboratory, presented on “High-Tech Research Making an Impact on Our Nation’s Security and the State of Georgia.” To cap off the interactive event, the Post presented a $1,000 contribution to the Georgia Tech Student Chapter.

The Washington DC Post, Northern Virginia Post, and Mid-Maryland Post celebrated the Air Force’s 75th anniversary in September with exhibits showcasing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) during a three-day airshow at Joint Base Andrews, Md. The event drew thousands of K-12 students and their families and featured robust participation from A/E/C industry partners.

The University of Guam Student Chapter held a mixer event and sponsored a booth at the school’s recent Charter Day event. The Guam Post has been a large supporter of the College of Engineering, including a $20,200 financial contribution in celebration of SAME’s Centennial a couple years ago.

The Pikes Peak Post hosted 30 boys and girls from all over the region at the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Area for a STEM Day. A total of 14 adult volunteers and eight cadet volunteers helped make the outreach event a success.

ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE REGION

When programs require collaboration across a greater area than a single Post, SAME’s structure and collaborative culture lends itself well to bringing those necessary people together, despite the distance. Not only are these efforts able to address the widespread needs of specific regions of the nation, but they also serve as avenues for research and best practices to be gathered, enriching both the local Posts participating in the program and the national Society as well.

2022 saw the implementation of one such regional STEM outreach program in the form of the “We Must Go To Them” program that sought ways to effectively engage American Indian/ Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth in STEM. Awarded a grant from the United Engineering Foundation in 2022, and with matching assistance from the SAME Foundation, four geographic and culturally diverse SAME Posts jumpstarted outreach efforts in their local AI/AN communities, conducting at least one event customized for the community’s local culture and priorities. These pilot efforts not only exposed AI/AN youth to STEM but provided lessons learned for a future toolkit for STEM engagement for additional Posts to follow.

The Albuquerque Post provided instruction, material support, and outreach as part of four events in the local community.

Santa Ana (Pueblo) Youth Hands-on Hydrology Outreach. This STEM Camp, held in July 2022, provided attendees a chance to learn more about hydropower science, alternative and renewable energy, environmental science, and fluid dynamics. In addition to financial support, Jon Pena, Albuquerque Post President, spoke to the camp about Hoover Dam as well as dams in general.

Pueblo of Santa Ana 21st Environmental and Health Fair. SAME sponsored a table at this outreach event, which drew 150 members of the community. The SAME table provided innovative hands-on geological exhibits and giveaways for all ages to help increase environmental awareness, provide outdoor education, and build partnerships that will enhance environmental stewardship across tribal lands.

American Indian Services Pre-Freshman Engineering Program. Funding provided robotics kits, a 3D printer and filament, and Chromebooks for graduates of this 3-year program targeting middle school students.

New Mexico Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement 2022 STEM Ag Career Fair Day. The program provided transportation and housing costs for 115 students and chaperones from native communities with financial limitations to attend this career fair for middle and high school students.

After meeting with representatives of the Ahtna Native Corp., the Anchorage Post developed a STEM, Construction, and Surveying Camp in September 2022. Campers had an opportunity to participate in a variety of hands-on activities, including a 3D laser survey, water sampling, and pipe cutting and fusion.

Along with operating the camp, the Post’s program covered transportation, housing, program development, and all materials for 18 youth and adults to attend. Student were also provided a stipend to overcome any financial burden.

The Panama City Post provided support for STEM materials, instructor support, and field trips to the Tallahassee Regional Crime Laboratory and Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and Aquarium as part of the Florida Indian Youth Program Camp, which was held in July 2022 for Native American, Native Alaskan, and Native Hawaiian students ages 14–19 living in Florida and Georgia.

Additionally, the Post included a panel presentation to regional SAME members on how to work in Indigenous communities and how to approach these communities in order to have successful outcomes on engineering projects as part of the 2022 SAME Panama City Industry Day.

The Tulsa Post provided STEM equipment to the Cherokee Language Immersion School, a community school for elementary students who are taught exclusively in the Cherokee language.

A total of 18 STEM Pathways Labs for grades 2 through 5 (enough for 72 students), were provided to the school, with the school agreeing to provide translation of the materials.

IMPACT ACROSS THE NATION

SAME’s national programs, such as the Engineering & Construction Camps, showcase the collaborative power of the Society. With support from Posts across the nation (in 2021, 48 Posts helped support the Camps program in some fashion), along with a dedicated cadre of volunteers, Sustaining Members, and the military services who host the Camps, SAME has been able to provide rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors an opportunity to get hands-on experience in STEM, engineering, and construction skills for the last 20 years.

Last year, all five of SAME’s Engineering & Construction Camps made a full return to in-person activities, keeping up the tradition of providing hands-on STEM experiences for high school students and developing the next generation of engineering leaders. The program showed hundreds of high-school students the possibilities in STEM and inspired them toward careers in the A/E/C industry.

Campers participate in events that take them through hands-on engineering problems as well as designing and building things like a dog house and cardboard boat. Additionally, campers visit offsite locations to see the partnerships that civilian companies have with the base and community. By visiting a local Sustaining Member firm to mix and test their own concrete cylinders, it takes a theoretical understanding of engineering principles and applies it to real-life scenarios.

Through a significant investment from the SAME Foundation, a Camps Mentoring Program was developed in 2022 and was able to greatly expand its contribution, bringing additional young professional members, active duty servicemembers, cadets, and even teachers to serve as mentors. At each camp, mentors are tasked with working closely with campers and guiding them throughout the week. Many continue their responsibilities long after the camp is over, serving as a resource for students as they assess academic and career choices.

STEM outreach is critical for America’s economic future and security. As the engineering challenges facing our nation evolve and grow with our increasingly complex world, ensuring the next generation is prepared to meet the future is vital.

SAME is dedicated to leading the efforts needed to inspire, encourage, and enable youth to pursue STEM careers and help develop the technical capacity that our nation needs to remain globally competitive. This Engineers’ Week, make a commitment to get involved in developing the next generation of STEM leaders through one of the links below.