Helping children discover their future

Cummins Inc. employee volunteers recently welcomed students at the Shoreview, Minn. (U.S.) facility for an exciting week of learning. Through the Cummins Foundation, a grant was provided to Project Scientist, a national non-profit that helps girls ages 4-18 learn about careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Project Scientist used the grant to orchestrate a Summer STEAM Lab where students were given the opportunity to learn more about STEAM jobs directly from women employed at Cummins in these fields.

“I was inspired and supported as a young girl to explore engineering,” says Megan Reinbold, Environmental Sustainability and Compliance Leader, Distribution Business Unit at Cummins, and project leader for the event. “Now, I look for ways to pass that on. Project Scientist has over a decade of success in creating meaningful experiences for young girls so they can learn more about STEAM jobs. I was really excited about this partnership opportunity to open the door to engineering for the next generation of girls.”

Results that tell the story

Project Scientist’s purpose is to ignite and cultivate STEAM confidence in marginalized and underserved girls. Women, especially women of color, are underrepresented in STEAM majors and professions. Since its inception in 2013, Project Scientist has served over 20,000 girls throughout the U.S. and Mexico. 100% of Project Scientist’s students come from under-resourced areas and attend events at no cost to their families due to resources provided by companies like Cummins. Through various programs like the Summer STEAM Lab, after-school STEAM clubs, scholar programs, etc., Project Scientist, in partnership with its corporate sponsors, is making an impact.

“Our programs give students a real-life glimpse at the possibility of a STEM career by women who look like them,” says Christy Anderson, Senior Vice President, Partnerships & Marketing at Project Scientist. “By volunteers sharing information about roles and what career paths are available, along with participation in hands-on experiments and activities, students become engaged, more aware, and encouraged by a variety of role models to consider STEAM careers. They are impacted by seeing the relevance of STEAM in their own lives and in their communities and feel empowered to succeed.”

Inspiring ways to learn

Reinbold shares more about the five-day Summer Lab event that was supported by 17 Cummins volunteers: “Project Scientist partnered with Central Park Elementary (Roseville Area Schools). They organized the student involvement and provided us with materials and a proven curriculum. Two Central Park teachers led hands-on learning and our STEAM Superstars, Cummins volunteers who shared their professional experiences, were spotlighted daily to inspire future career aspirations for the girls.” 

Amber Hoppe, Service Technical Specialist at Cummins, reflects on her involvement as a STEAM Superstar. “I hope that by sharing my career, I have given the girls a glimpse of what it means to be an engineer. It was such a rewarding experience to see the girls’ excitement, especially during our LEGO®-build of a two-cylinder engine designed by Cummins that included pistons, a crankshaft and engine housing. We – all of us - had so much fun! I felt honored that I got to be part of their journey in STEAM.”

The theme for the week was Engineering Design. Jennifer Schmidt, Power Generation Product Structure Leader at Cummins tells us more. “The girls were given the task of designing their own prosthetic arm, along with budget parameters, the ability to shop for parts, build and display their product, and share what they learned from the process. It was such a great way for them to learn what goes into making something for a customer, how the product is used and the benefits of the product. At the end of the week, during show and tell, it was rewarding to hear what they had accomplished and 
witness their excitement.”

The girls were also able to take a tour of the Cummins Shoreview facility, which, for some, was the first time they had been in an office building.

Investing in the future

Cummins’ Corporate Responsibility mission is to build more prosperous communities by empowering people to thrive in their day-to-day lives. Both empowering women and focusing on education are key components of Cummins’ Corporate Responsibility strategy. “By partnering with organizations like Project Scientist, we are able to make an impact in the lives of today’s youth as they become the future, not only in local communities but in the world at large,” says Reinbold.

Visit Cummins Newsroom regularly to read more stories about the impact Cummins is making in our world!