Celebrating National STEM Day: Igniting Curiosity, Building Futures

From Curiosity to Career: Celebrating the Power of STEM Education

by Lindsey Davis

Reading Time: 5 mins

Every year on November 8th, National STEM Day shines a spotlight on the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in shaping the future. This year, were thrilled to offer a dynamic lineup of resources and events designed to spark curiosity and connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities:

Futures Fair: A Gateway to Career Exploration

On November 5th, students nationwide will tune into the Futures Fair, a free virtual event featuring 30-minute interactive presentations from professionals across industries. Partners like Verizon, Honda, LIV Golf, The Home Depot, and Warner Bros. Discovery will share insights into their fields, helping students envision their future careers and understand the skills needed to succeed.

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Immersive Learning Experiences

STEM Careers Coalition (SCC): Through engaging tools like Operation Communication and the Career Finder, SCC helps students explore workplace dynamics and discover career paths aligned with their interests.
Verizon: TimePod Adventures uses augmented reality to immerse students in STEM challenges guided by an AI assistant.
Niagara Cares: Salvage Safari, a Roblox-based game, teaches students about recycling and environmental science in a fun, interactive way.

Virtual Field Trips That Inspire

Sesame Workshop: Partnering on virtual field trips that make science accessible and exciting for younger learners.
- Meet the Magnets heading to the U.S. National Science Foundation National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
- Meet a Solar Telescope at the U.S. National Science Foundation Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope
LEGO Group: Amphibian Adventures explores frog conservation and ecosystem health in Georgias wetlands.

STEM in Action: Classroom Resources

Honda: Safety in Action brings motorsports into the classroom to teach safety and technology through real-world examples.
LIV Golf: LIV to Learn offers digital resources that blend STEM, life skills, and sustainability.
The Home Depot: Science Fair Central provides over 100 project starters and hands-on activities to inspire innovation and creativity.
Itron: Conservation Station explores the energy-water connection and smart city innovations, encouraging students to think sustainably.
Freeport-McMoRan: Dig into Mining introduces students to the science, technology, and sustainability behind modern mining through interactive tools and real-world STEM applications.

More Engaging Resources for Exciting STEM Activities

Engineering Dreams

ASME and Discovery Education are partnering to engage K-12 students nationwide in the biggest challenges of today while helping them unlock success tomorrow using the universal key of Engineering. Join us as we teach students to turn passion into an in-demand career in Engineering with standards-aligned resources designed for ALL learners and communities.

American Petroleum Institute

Explore the American Petroleum Institute, the only national trade association representing all facets of the natural gas and oil industry, with career profiles and instructional activities. API’s more than 600 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms.

STEM Careers Coalition

Did you know November is Career Development Month? Celebrate National STEM Day and Career Development Month with the STEM Careers Coalition! The STEM Careers Coalition's mission is to empower educators to teach STEM effectively in the classroom, focusing on equity and access to quality education, and building the next generation of solution-seekers at no cost to schools.

What are some ways you show students how STEM skills can lead to life-changing careers? Perhaps you can invite local STEM professionals to give a presentation on their career paths and how they achieved it or ask students to select a famous STEM professional for a report! There are many creative ways to engage students with STEM career paths, starting with the career resources in Discovery Education Experience.

National STEM Day is a reminder of the power of education to transform lives and communities. With these resources, educators can inspire students to dream big, explore boldly, and build the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.