We’ve received a new $75,000 grant from Xcel Energy to take our Engineering Connections program to elementary schools in Roseville, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Red Wing, Mankato, Monticello, St. Cloud, and Winona.
Engineering Connections is a series of educational programs from The Works that create long-term impact in STEM education for children and educators through field trips, classes, professional development workshops, and community events. “Children experience hands-on engineering through field trips to The Works Museum or in-school classes. Meanwhile, teachers receive professional development training from our expert educators, learning about the engineering component in the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards and how to energize their classrooms with interactive projects and open-ended engineering design challenges. Finally, the whole school community enjoys a Family Engineering Night, where children and parents explore engineering together,” said Jill Measells, CEO of The Works.
“We’re helping children build important skills for lifelong success, including problem solving, teamwork, and persistence among others,” said Measells. “Our mission is to inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers, and creative problem solvers, and Engineering Connections is an important step toward creating a bright future for every child.”
Thanks to Xcel Energy’s support, more than 5,000 children, teachers, and parents will have access to Engineering Connections this year. In addition, real engineers from Xcel will work with students and parents, giving children a unique learning opportunity, one that may even lead some students to take an interest in engineering and other technical fields as possible careers.
“Xcel Energy is proud to support The Works and its efforts to build interest in careers in engineering among young people in our service area,” said Dave Sparby, president and CEO of Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy company. “A highly skilled workforce is particularly critical in the energy and utility industry, and the need for a skilled workforce is estimated to grow 50 percent in the next 10 years. This unique program and its outreach will help interest the next generation in joining this growing and rewarding field.”
The Works Museum’s partnership begins now and will continue throughout the 2013-2014 school year,” said Heidi Eschenbach, Director of Programs for The Works. “If you’d like more information about Engineering Connections or our other programs, please contact me at Heidi@theworks.org. We would love to work with your school!”
