Read.Watch.Listen. STEM Education Outreach
- SE3 Committee
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
August 2025 Issue
A monthly forum to share diversity, equity, and inclusion resources.
Welcome to the next installment of Read.Watch.Listen. Our recent issues have shared how our profession is struggling with the recruitment and retention of structural engineers, and we want to continue the conversation on improving recruitment by increasing outreach to students. This issue shares resources that discuss the benefits and opportunities for outreach to middle school, high school, and collegiate students. K-16 outreach in engineering is critical for building a strong, diverse, and future-ready talent pipeline. By engaging students from kindergarten through college, engineering organizations can spark early interest, increase awareness of career pathways, and provide mentorship and resources to students who may not otherwise consider engineering. These efforts are especially important for reaching underrepresented groups and ensuring equity in access to STEM opportunities. Early exposure to engineering concepts, hands-on learning, and role models helps students develop confidence, persistence, and a sense of belonging in technical fields. As the demand for skilled engineers grows, sustained outreach across the K-16 spectrum allows educators, industry leaders, and professional organizations to align efforts, close opportunity gaps, and prepare students with the foundational skills needed for success. Ultimately, K-16 outreach is an investment in both individual futures and the long-term innovation and competitiveness of the engineering profession. In addition to the resources below, check out these outreach toolkits from NCSEA, SWE, and Kid Spark Education.
Image by freepik
Building a Diverse Workforce Through Outreach to Young Talent – SHRM
This article emphasizes the need for organizations to rethink how they attract early-career candidates, especially as they face talent shortages and aim to diversify their workforce. Traditional hiring practices, like requiring enrollment in degree programs or recruiting only from elite schools, often exclude capable but underrepresented individuals. The article encourages employers to adopt skills-based assessments, expand partnerships to include community colleges and HBCUs, and collaborate with educators to better align curricula with workforce needs. By broadening outreach and focusing on demonstrated ability rather than credentials alone, organizations can build more inclusive pipelines. Ultimately, the article calls for long-term investment in young, diverse talent to ensure a sustainable and equitable future workforce.
Published March 12, 2025; Estimated Read Time - 5 minutes
How to Lead a Successful STEM Outreach Program – Civil Engineering Channel
In this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, the hosts welcome Danielle Schroeder, PE, ENV SP, a passionate civil engineer working in the transportation sector. Danielle is a dedicated advocate for STEM outreach and education, recognizing its critical role in shaping the future of the engineering profession. Each year, she participates in 20 to 30 STEM events, where she shares her journey and insights to inspire the next generation of engineers. Join us as Danielle dives into the different types of STEM events, effective outreach formats, and what makes these initiatives truly impactful. As she powerfully states, “You can’t be what you can’t see.”
Originally aired March 6, 2024; 00:26:27
Inclusive Engineering Outreach – Engineering Change Podcast
On this episode of the Engineering Change Podcast, host Dr. Yvette Pearson interviews Kathy Renzetti, Executive Director of DiscoverE. If you haven’t heard of DiscoverE (or Discover Engineering), you should check them out! In addition to running programs like Engineers Week, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, and World Engineering Day, they’ve got lots of toolkits and resources for STEM programs and volunteers. Kathy says that one of the most important pieces for STEM outreach is providing the opportunity early on for students to learn about engineering and gaining “their story” of why they decided to become an engineer. From about minute 18 to 35 is a good excerpt on teaching basic engineering problem solving to reach students early and build their confidence if you are short on time. There are lots of great ideas and discussion throughout the episode that make it a worthwhile listen!
Originally published February 23, 2022; 01:00:00
This article was originally published in the NCSEA's Structural Connection newsletter.
Read.Watch.Listen is a monthly forum hosted by the NCSEA SE3 Committee to share and promote conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion within the structural engineering profession. Each month, we will curate a series of articles, audio-visual and digital media to facilitate self-education in matters that affect our professional practice as structural engineers. Whether you choose to read, watch, or listen (or all three!), we hope you will join us in this important conversation. Missed the previous issue? Check out the NCSEA SE3 Committee News and Publication page.
Share your thoughts and/or recommended resources for the next issue at ncsea@ncsea.com.
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