Middle school students learn about local STEM opportunities

MARQUETTE — The school year is beginning to wind down, and many schools are taking this time to explore different career options with their students.

The Northern Michigan University Seaborg Center, along with the Marquette Branch of the American Association of University Women, hosted the Young Women in STEM Conference on Friday. The conference hosts 200 6th and 7th grade girls in Marquette and Alger counties who are interested in a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

The students learn about local opportunities in STEM fields and what they can do in the future to secure their STEM careers.

“Here at the Seaborg Center, we really focus on teaching and learning in STEM. Learning is lifelong, so we want students to be able see they can go into these STEM fields and maybe start thinking about it now, even if they’re only in middle school,” said Renee Jewett, program coordinator for the Seaborg Center.

The students attending the conference chose from a number of sessions, like computer coding, and construction management. All of the sessions were led by local businesswomen in their fields.

The Young Women in STEM Conference is held every other year.