Fort Sill Boys & Girls Club, Raytheon celebrate STEM learning day

Staff reports
·2 min read

Fun and learning came together Thursday, September 8, as more than 50 children enjoyed science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities at the new Boys & Girls Clubs of America Center of Innovation at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

The event was a collaborative effort of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America USAG Fort Sill Child & Youth Services Club and Raytheon Technologies.

The Center of Innovation and a STEM learning lab on the base were made possible by Raytheon. The STEM night aimed to showcase all the engaging activities available for area youth.

Visitors could try out “smart” remote-control cars, make their own slime and create works of art. At the end of the day, children took home DIY STEM kits donated by Raytheon.

Raytheon has pledged $10 million to BGCA to focus on sparking interest in STEM learning and careers.

The need of professionals in the STEM field is growing at a massive rate and there has been a push to ignite the passion for STEM studies at an early age.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says STEM jobs have grown by 79 percent in the last 30 years and are projected to grow at least another 11 percent by 2030. Additionally, STEM-related positions often pay more than double the salary of non-STEM occupations.

There are BGCA STEM Centers of Innovation at 22 sites nationwide for Club and military youth to access advanced technologies and stimulate create approaches to STEM exploration.

Military families move, on average, six to nine times before a child graduates from high school. The STEM Centers for Innovation give these families and children an opportunity to connect with others in a dynamic learning environment.

The BCGA and Raytheon partnership is expanding to include high quality STEM programs that are culturally relevant and the development of curriculum guides that can inspire a diverse generation of STEM professionals.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Fort Sill Boys & Girls Club, Raytheon celebrate STEM learning day