ELY – Ely fifth-grade student Bria Marshall was all giggles as she quickly pulled apart a marshmallow and watched the chemical changes to the sticky substance. “It feels warm as I keep pulling it apart and it is really sticky,” she said. “This is fun.”

Yet it was fun with a purpose as more than 30 Ely area girls in grades 5-8 participated in the annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) workshop last Saturday at Vermilion Community College. The annual event was sponsored by the American Association of University Women - Ely Branch, in collaboration with Vermilion Community College, and a grant from AAUW-Minnesota.

It was an opportunity for the girls to explore the possibilities in a field of study that is often dominated by their male counterparts.

Sixth-grader Anna Dunn was taking advantage of the chance. She built a hovercraft with construction paper, pipe cleaners, paper cups and other materials and tested her design in a vertical wind tunnel. “This is a fun way to learn and experiment,” she said.

Three subjects were covered this year by area educators and professionals:

 “Tantalizing Test Tube Teasers: An Exploration in Chemistry,” with Sherry Abts, Instructor from Laurentian Environmental Center.

“Wind Tunnels and Hovercrafts,” with Bobbi Zenner, Instructor from Laurentian Environmental Center.

“Culvert Conundrum,” with Becca Reiss, Community Conservationist from North St. Louis Soil & Water Conservation District.

The workshop ended with a presentation by Julie Lucas, Environmental Manager from Hibbing Taconite, on the benefits of a STEM career.

“We’re so pleased that we had so many girls participate this year,” said Ely AAUW STEM Workshop coordinator Jeanne Tomlinson. “STEM is such an important part of our education today, and we are able provide a full day for the girls with fun and learning at the same time.”

STEM education in the United States is increasing in popularity. More schools are implementing STEM learning into their curriculum and making it an integral part of what they teach.

Advocates argue that STEM education fosters ingenuity and creativity, builds resilience and problem-solving skills in students, and encourages experimentation and teamwork.

In STEM education, students are taught skills that they can use in the real world, which motivates students to learn, as they know that the skills they acquire can be utilized immediately or as they enter the workforce. STEM learning also teaches kids about the power of technology and innovation. So, when students encounter new technologies, they will be prepared to embrace them, instead of being hesitant or fearful. This will give them the upper hand in the global landscape, as the world is becoming increasingly tech-centered.