Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) is hosting the sixth annual STEM Exploration Night from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 at Federal Way High School. All FWPS PreK-12th grade students and their families are invited to attend this fun in-person event to explore STEM through the various attractions included in the evening’s line-up.

This year’s event theme, STEM for Everyone, helps scholars see how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are intertwined with the world around them. They will learn how their interests, hobbies, and career goals connect to STEM, and understand the significance STEM plays in our daily lives.

STEM-related jobs represent most of the region’s job demand. At STEM Exploration Night, scholars of all ages will find tangible ways to explore STEM in FWPS and beyond in college and careers. By learning about STEM opportunities now, scholars can build the STEM skills and competencies required to take advantage of high-demand, high-wage careers as a software engineer, ecologist, animation artist, biochemist, military officer, aircraft mechanic, and more.

There are several exciting features of this year’s STEM night. Scholars and families can visit booths featuring scholar projects and clubs, STEM companies and organizations, and STEM-related college and career pathways.

There will also be several virtual reality (VR) experiences, in addition to Minecraft challenges, coding workshops, robotics demonstrations, and a special STEM with the Superintendent challenge. Also returning this year is the STEM Film Festival featuring scholar-produced films, as well as in-depth panel discussions that promote inclusivity, which include Multilingual Voices in STEM, STEM for All Abilities, and IGNITE FWPS Alumnae.

“We’re proud to offer STEM Exploration Night as an in-person experience once more so our scholars learn about opportunities in STEM,” shares FWPS Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer. “As a district, we’re continually adding new STEM opportunities for scholars to take part in because we know the value STEM has in our daily lives, in society, and in the workforce. STEM careers are vaster than ever before, and our goal is to help scholars connect to STEM in their own way – there’s a place for everyone to take part. STEM Exploration Night is designed to pique the curiosity of our youngest scholars and confirm career interests and provide a clear path forward for our older scholars. I’m excited to watch all of that happen, because I have seen how this event can inspire students to pursue STEM pathways.”

STEM Exploration Night has been an annual district-wide event with high participation since 2017. Scholars who attend will receive a SWAG bag and can earn prizes during the night. The top two elementary schools and top middle and high schools with the highest attendance will also receive a school-wide prize.

Free bus shuttle service, interpreters, and food are provided.

This year’s STEM Exploration Night is proudly sponsored by Highline College, Kennedy Jenks, Sound Transit, FORMA Construction, Carnegie Learning, INTEGRUS, U.S. Air Force, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH).

More information, including the event schedule and map, transportation information, and prize opportunities, is available on the FWPS app and at www.fwps.org/STEMExpo.