New program aims to spark interest in STEM-related fields for MPS students
A new program aims to give high school students from Milwaukee Public Schools hands-on experiences in STEM-related activities that could spark interest in careers in architecture, engineering or a related field.
Organizers of the NAF Future Ready Scholars program hope to build on the initiative’s inaugural year, when 28 MPS students this past summer helped to construct structures that provide shade, a gathering space and solar power for a community garden in Milwaukee’s Metcalfe Park neighborhood.
Led by faculty, staff and student mentors from UW-Milwaukee, the program also involves faculty and staff from Milwaukee Area Technical College. It’s another example of the working relationship that UWM, MATC and MPS have forged through the M3 partnership.
Sophia West, a senior at Ronald Reagan High School who took part in the Future Ready program, helped assemble wooden benches for the community garden structures. She said that part of the project was a bit complicated because they had to be built so that they could be folded away to create more space if needed.
The experience helped feed West’s interest in building, design and working with tools.
“I would love to pursue architecture in the future,” West said, “and it was a lot of fun to get into the community and help.”
NAF is a national network of education, business and community leaders dedicated to making sure that high school students are prepared for college. It was formerly known as National Academy Foundation before being renamed in 2015.
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