STEM and STEAM drive innovation and progress in our world. From medical breakthroughs to space exploration to cutting-edge technology, STEM careers are at the heart of solving today’s biggest challenges. But how do students discover which STEM career path might be right for them?
Why It’s Important for Students to Learn About Different STEM and STEAM Careers
Many kids have not been exposed to the possibilities available to them in STEM! While many students may aspire to be YouTubers, athletes, or musicians, they may not realize that there are many STEM fields adjacent to these popular aspirations.
Researching STEM careers isn’t just an assignment—it’s an eye-opening experience so that students can:
See how learning matters – Discover how math, science, and technology are used in real jobs.
Stay motivated – It’s easier to work hard in school when you know how it connects to your possible future.
Make a difference – STEM jobs give you the power to help people and change the world.
For example, a STEM adjacent career for a YouTuber might be a sound engineer, or an electrical engineer that designs audio equipment, or a cybersecurity expert to protect the YouTuber from cyberattacks or hackers, or a data scientist to analyze viewer trends, algorithms, and engagement data to help promote and hone content.
STEM Careers Can Be Fulfilling and Make a Difference
STEM careers go beyond good salaries—they offer personal fulfillment and opportunities to make a difference. Many STEM professionals report high job satisfaction because they are:
- Solving real-world problems (from climate change to medical cures to sound agricultural practices to safe car seats and helmets for kids ).
- Making a positive impact on communities and the world (from a safety and quality of life perspective, among others).
- Constantly learning and innovating, which keeps work exciting. Be on the forefront of emerging technologies in many STEM careers!
When students research STEM careers, they begin to imagine themselves as future leaders who will design solutions, innovate new technologies, and improve lives.
Learn about STEM Careers with a Research Project!
I’ve created a STEM Career Research Project just for students! This classroom-ready activity empowers students to research the qualifications, education, training, salaries, and future opportunities connected to a career in STEM. By diving into this kind of meaningful exploration, students begin to see themselves as future engineers, scientists, doctors, coders, or technicians—and gain motivation to set goals for their education.
This ready-to-use resource includes everything you need to guide students through exploring the world of STEM careers:
☑️ Digital research project (editable) – includes interactive slides for students to complete
☑️ Career suggestions and research tips – extensive list of careers included to get started.
☑️ Printable version (editable) – perfect for in-class or even as a sub plan!
☑️ Editable rubric – making assessment simple and straightforward.
How to Use This Resource in Your Classroom
- Allow students to choose a STEM career of interest (encourage variety so the class learns about many fields).
- Have students complete the research slides or printable pages.
- End with presentations where students share their findings. This not only builds public speaking skills but also expands knowledge for everyone.
- Host a STEM career day! Invite community and family members to come in and talk to students about their jobs.
Teachers who have used this resource rave about how much their students enjoy it. Many report that it’s a perfect fit for career exploration, enrichment projects, employability skills, or STEM-focused lessons.
Here’s what teachers have said about this resource:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The students loved researching STEM careers as a part of our employability skills time. I was able to combine standards from science, ELA, and employability!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I use this resource as an enrichment project for my high-ability students. They can complete this activity as often as they want throughout the year. They’ve really enjoyed researching different careers!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “My students did this for our career explorations class, and they enjoyed conducting research on their job of choice and all the aspects that comes from gaining a career in STEM!”
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