Students learn about careers in STEAM

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — More than a thousand students from across the state are getting a head start on college and career opportunities by learning about careers in science and art at Science Museum Oklahoma.

"What does it feel like to be an engineer? What is the experience to, to work in the oil field? We have that right here. They can talk to the people who are doing the jobs," said Sherry Marshall, the John E. Kirkpatrick President/CEO of Science Museum Oklahoma.

The Women's Energy Network of Greater Oklahoma helps host the events to give students a hands-on experience and allow them to talk with professionals from colleges and programs in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).

"We got to build a structure to see if we could hold a brick on top of it, that was really fun," said Avery and Claire, two Yukon Middle School students.

More than 1600 students from 70 Oklahoma schools explored future careers.

Two students even held a cockroach at one of the interactive booths.

"It's weird. It feels slimy," said Jordyn and Kennedy from Yukon Middle School.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 29% of females go into STEM careers, and only 16% of those go into engineering.

So, while these students still have a long time before making a decision on a career, they said a day like this is helpful.

"I feel like the reason why today is important because, like, yet we're so young, we get to explore all things about science. We can build our future off of this and maybe learn something that we actually like," said Rhylen and Tyler, students from Ripley Middle School.

"By taking these explorations at an early age, you really get an idea of how to be a more critical thinker, how to make critical decisions, how to think bigger and understand more so that you can navigate the world that we live in and be ready for the next big thing," said Marshall.

The museum has hosted this event for students for eight years and said they're excited to keep the next generation engaged in careers in STEAM.