Problem Solving Super Learners: K-12 STEM programs prepare students for careers in industries now and in the future

Programming, designing, collaborating, prototyping, and redesigning – that’s what happens in labs and design studios in the tech industry. It’s also happening in South Milwaukee’s STEM labs.

An acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math, STEM is a hands-on way to look at the world that combines all those disciplines. 

“I think STEM is the future,” said Julie Barnett, the Middle School STEM teacher. “By allowing our students into STEM and getting them exposed to the vocabulary, the productive struggles, and other pieces of just what we do in STEM class, we're opening them up to the possibility of things that they can do in their future.” 

Thinking about the future is what the School District of South Milwaukee is doing with its STEM program – something made possible in part by the Safe, Supported, Successful referendum, which was overwhelmingly passed by voters in 2024.

“A number of years ago, we had the opportunity to think about how we wanted to expand programming, and we had a number of our high school and middle school students interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, which we call STEM in schools,” Superintendent Deidre Roemer said. “And every one of our students experiences high levels of skill development in varying ways, from K-4 all the way up through 12th grade.”

There are three elementary STEM teachers serving the district’s four schools. Similar to library, physical education, and music class, students now attend STEM class.

“In a lot of ways, what's great about elementary STEM is that students can shine in ways that they can't necessarily in the regular classroom. STEM is very hands-on. First of all, they are building and constructing, and it's also often connected to some kind of tech,” elementary STEM teacher Jennifer Haynor said. 

“We've been doing some hands-on building activities and really watching them when what they're trying to build is not successful, and coming together with their partner or their group to try and problem solve that,” added Rawson STEM teacher Katy Casleton. 

That cooperation and team troubleshooting is a skill in and of itself that job seekers need to be successful in their adult lives. 

“The younger students are where I notice the biggest impact,” agreed Jolene Wasilewski. She teaches STEM at both Blakewood and E. W. Luther schools. “They come in with the mindset of like ‘I’m going to need your help.’ But then something happens between winter and spring, and they start to kind of blossom. And next thing you know, you just kind of look around the room, and they're no longer asking you for help. Just that hum in the classroom of like, kids critically thinking and working together.”

In high school, students start realizing how those skills translate into what they might want to do with their lives.

“One of my favorite things about teaching at the high school is that I am reaching learners who are really starting to think about what the rest of their life looks like,” High School STEM teacher Karen Matthews said. “Students really have a chance to get in and practice the skills that they may potentially use later on in their careers.”

For students, learning about what someone wants to do, or doesn’t want to do with their lives, is part of a public education, Roemer said. 

“Right now, for our youngest learners, we're preparing them for careers that don't yet exist,” she said.