Celebrating National STEM Day 2023

Each year on November 8, National STEM Day is dedicated to recognizing the value and educational contributions of the very fields that help power Cummins’ long-standing history of continuous innovation.  At Cummins, our need, focus and passion for STEM is apparent day to day, and we are eager to use this occasion to:  

• reflect on our own advancements in STEM;
• support opportunities to get involved during our worldwide celebrations;
• and forecast even more meaningful work in education to come in our future. 

One highlight this year is the marking of the ten-year anniversary of Cummins TEC: Technical Education for Communities, which provides opportunities for young adults to develop and acquire in-demand skills that will set them up for future success. As our longest running strategic community program, Cummins TEC has launched 26 programs in 12 countries and graduated 3,000 students, of which notably includes 10% women. 

“Our company built Cummins TEC from the ground up, and I am incredibly proud of how it has impacted participants and entire communities,” says Jim Schacht, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility for Cummins Inc. and CEO of the Cummins Foundation. 

“Celebrating this year’s National STEM Day, in conjunction with the Cummins TEC anniversary, is the perfect occasion for us to connect young people in our communities and to inspire more learning about these disciplines and how they can lead to meaningful careers,” says Schacht.

Volunteering to increase STEM awareness and excitement

Like Cummins, STEM fields emphasize innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking; areas of learning that serve to enhance our business success. And while STEM jobs are expected to grow twice as quickly as those in other occupations, research shows that 92% of boys and 97% of girls will lose interest in STEM if they are not immersed in these subjects before fifth grade*. 

With funding from the Cummins Foundation and in collaboration with community partners, there are many opportunities for Cummins employees around the world to volunteer in STEM related activities. 

This year, to honor National STEM Day, events have been organized globally by Cummins employees in each of our regions. Activities will range from building an electronic kit to learning how to use a microscope to check water quality to experiencing what goes into building a motor or a hydrogen fuel cell car. “We have found great success in these types of events as participants gain first-hand experience with what is possible in today’s world of science and technology,” says Danette Howard, Corporate Responsibility Director, Education. “Our employees dedicate a great deal of time in planning these events and love having the opportunity to share their knowledge about STEM. It’s a win-win for our company, and our communities,” says Howard. 

And we’re not done yet. To fulfill our mission of making people’s lives better by powering a more prosperous world, Cummins continues to look for ways to support STEM learning and awareness by strengthening the company’s education focus within Corporate Responsibility. 

In the coming months, more information will be shared regarding exciting plans for Cummins’ focus on education in our communities.