THE ST. LOUIS DISTRICT K-12 STEM OUTREACH PROGRAM

BY ROMANDA WALKER AND BROOKE MAGARY, St. Louis District

As America’s lead engineering organization, it is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) responsibility to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-related curriculum and careers. The St. Louis District K-12 Outreach Program serves as a model outreach program for USACE. Led by the public affairs outreach coordinator, the program relies completely on volunteers and ties the missions of the St. Louis District and its partners with the needs of local students.

By partnering with local federal and nonfederal agencies and organizations, the outreach team has been able to continue to successfully support and expand the Outreach Program. These partnering organizations include: the Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Defense Contract Management Agency Boeing St. Louis, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, the St. Louis Zoo, the Audubon Center at Riverlands, the National Park Service, and St. Teresa Catholic School. Additionally, the team has entered into memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with local high schools and universities. These MOUs help enhance and expand the district’s Outreach Program.

The program truly is invaluable. Professionals take their knowledge and skills and share them with students who would otherwise never have the opportunity to talk to an engineer, archaeologist, or park ranger.

The St. Teresa Catholic School program utilizes in-class presentations, workshops, activities, and field trips that promote the missions of USACE, its partners, and stakeholders. Environmental managers from the Weldon Spring Department of Energy spoke with students about groundwater monitoring, radiation, and unstable molecules.

USACE Photo

During the past four years, the St. Louis District outreach team conducted and participated in hundreds of STEM events, interacting with more than 53,000 children and adults. In 2018, the team continued its success, reaching more than 15,000 adults and children locally, nationally, and internationally.

The program continues to establish new directions and partnerships along with a growing and enthusiastic volunteer base. The synergy achieved through these partnerships not only serves the nation by promoting STEM careers, it has also strengthened the relationship the local community has with the federal government.

By investing in a new generation of American engineers and scientists, the St. Louis District Outreach Program continues to help prepare the next generation of leaders to face the transformational challenges that lie ahead.