Arguably, compared to any other time in history, STEM leaders are needed now more than ever to solve many of today’s growing social impact challenges.
To lead the world in equipping the next generation of STEM leaders, those of one corporation are not merely talking about the issue. Instead, using their resources to put the next generation into the STEM pipeline: Chevron.
Its leaders have granted $10 million towards the creation of 10 fabrication laboratories around the nation in a partnership with The Fab Foundation. These Fab Labs would offer hands-on science and technology experiences to offer 20,000 of the nation’s up-and-coming leaders.
“We believe STEM is imperative to not only to Chevron, but also to the greater workforce, to the economic development in communities where we operate, and to U.S. competitiveness,” Blair Blackwell, manager of education and corporate programs at Chevron, told RIZZARR.
WATCH: THE IMPACT OF CHEVRON’S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FAB FOUNDATION
The grant is part of Chevron’s $30 million commitment and call-to-action to support STEM education and project-based learning methods. Its leaders plan to also work with companies around the globe: “We recognize that this is a huge challenge and no one company, nonprofit, or local government group can tackle it,” Blackwell said.
The Fab Lab launched its first two facilities in Bakersfield, California. The most recent facility to launch was Fab Lab D.C.
Fab Lab D.C., the most recent facility to launch. (Photo courtesy of Chevron)
From creating circuits to engineering bold innovative projects, girls and boys are able to take hold of the same eye-opening experiences in each Fab Lab.
Blackwell said they especially want to encourage girls to enter STEM fields through Fab Labs: “Girls can learn that even if you mess up, you can learn from it,” she said. “It gives them the confidence to continue in a STEM career, and it encourages them to know that they can make an impact in their communities.”
During the time that students spend working in the Fab Labs, they also get the chance to meet with Chevron executives and to have them as mentors. One of these mentors is 31-year-old engineering adviser Stephanie Reeves. Having worked with students a part of the Fab Labs from the beginning, Reeves said the initiative has continued to personally touch her.
WATCH: INTERVIEW WITH FAB LABS MENTOR STEPHANIE REEVES
“It’s such a great thing to see the students empowered by their experiences and that has really hit home with me,” she said. “At Fab Labs, students learn about having an idea, building a product, and then finally, bringing their idea to life.”
Reeves told RIZZARR that she wishes she could have had participated in the Fab Labs growing up. She sees the benefits it offers to girls who participate in its workshops at early ages.
Here she is helping a student a part of the initiative. (Photo courtesy of Chevron)
“It would have helped me clarify at a young age what I wanted to do,” she said. “I think that it is wonderful that we are able to empower them to engage in conversations that take their natural curiosity and showcase how it fits into the big picture.”
In hopes of seeing greater numbers of the next generation – particularly girls – enter into STEM careers, Reeves and Blackwell said they are determined to see even more young leaders take part in Fab Labs around the country in the future.
“We want to help students find the careers that fit their personality and the way that they envision their future so that they can bring their ideas to life and make a difference,” Reeves said.
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