MILWAUKEE (April 26, 2023) – More than 600 students from 54 MPS schools will display their science and engineering expertise this Thursday in downtown Milwaukee. Students of all ages, from four-year-old kindergarten through 12th grade, will bring hundreds of projects to life and share them with attendees and judges for the 16th annual MPS STEM Fair. With more students and schools participating than ever before, this will be the largest district-wide STEM Fair since its inception in 2007.
Student projects include engineering solutions to solve everyday problems as well as investigations designed around scientific questions of interest to students. Projects are divided into three categories: Science Inquiry (answering a question), Engineering Design (solving a problem), and Research Study (high school only).
The event is made possible by the MPS Foundation and GE HealthCare. Support from these organizations for an educational event like the MPS STEM Fair is key to serving Milwaukee’s future STEM professionals.
“Exposing MPS students to the STEM field is vital because that’s where the jobs are, yet the fact remains that women, Black, and Latino individuals remain underrepresented in STEM-related jobs,” says Tiffany Tardy, MPS Foundation Executive Director. “So, when we think about solving Wisconsin’s workforce challenges, supporting the MPS STEM Fair is a crucial part of the long-term solution. When we invest in efforts like this, we’re investing in the state’s future talent pipeline.”
WHEN
Thursday, April 27, 2023, 10 a.m. — 1:30 p.m., with the awards ceremony at 12:45 p.m.
WHERE
The Wisconsin Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203
Third floor in Exhibit Halls A and B
For Media Only: Parking is available if needed. Please RSVP to Andy Nelson to coordinate.
The MPS STEM Fair showcases the best of the best from around the district. The majority of the students and their projects have participated and done well at their school-level STEM Fairs. Volunteers from the community representing education partners, businesses, and higher education institutions collaborate to judge the students on a variety of criteria, including the following:
- Asking questions and defining problems
- Developing and using models
- Planning and carrying out investigations
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Using mathematics and computational thinking
- Engaging in argument from evidence
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
During the awards ceremony, MPS will give out the Tomorrow’s SHEroes in STEM award and GE Spirit awards again this year. There will also be a Flex Farm, an indoor hydroponic farm, awarded to a teacher that has supported the STEM Fair over the years.
