On Saturday, Nov. 10, a group of eighth‑grade girls from schools throughout Bismarck and surrounding communities gathered at the Gateway to Science for a hands‑on “Stepping into STEM” event. The free public program, organized by the nonprofit science center, paired students with women working in six different STEM professions, giving the young participants a chance to see real‑world applications of science, technology, engineering and math.
Hands‑on engineering with candy and toothpicks
One of the first stations let the girls build simple structures using candy and toothpicks. The activity demonstrated basic engineering concepts such as load, balance and design thinking, while keeping the atmosphere fun and approachable.
Firefighter shares career benefits
Lydia Citta, a firefighter with the Bismarck Rural Fire Department, spoke about her path to the fire service and the personal and professional rewards she has experienced. Citta emphasized the importance of teamwork, physical fitness and community service, encouraging the students to consider public‑safety careers that protect families and neighborhoods.
Weather science brought to life
Bracelets designed to represent different weather patterns helped participants grasp basic meteorology. KFYR‑TV meteorologist Meghan Chada then took the stage, explaining how clouds form, why storms develop, and how forecasters use data to keep the public safe. The interactive segment highlighted the relevance of weather knowledge to everyday life.
Student reflections on the day
“It’s really important to highlight what careers you can go into and how you can make an impact in them,” said Emma Meuchel, one of the attendees. Izabella Baltzell added, “I really hope so. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be like really fun and like actually knowing what I’m doing.” Cindy Adoama expressed gratitude for the networking opportunity, saying, “I am so glad that I am here, and I got to meet new people from different schools… I hope someday I’ll be one of the good people who really made something out of this world.”
Future public event
Gateway to Science announced a follow‑up public “Stepping into STEM” session on Nov. 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., inviting families and community members to try additional experiments and meet more STEM professionals.
The event underscores the growing emphasis on encouraging girls to pursue technical fields, a priority for local educators, parents and business leaders who recognize the need for a diverse future workforce. By showcasing role models and providing hands‑on experiences, the program aims to plant seeds of curiosity that could blossom into careers in engineering, science, technology or mathematics.
Original reporting: KFYR-TV Bismarck (news) — read the source article.
