Igniting an interest in STEM for girls in grades 6th and 8th
STEPS Program
Science, Technology, and Engineering Preview Summer (STEPS) Program
Science, Technology, and Engineering Preview Summer (STEPS) is an introduction to the exciting world of science, technology and engineering. We hope to expose learners to potential careers, college life and ignite an interest in STEM.
This one day program is available at no cost for girls who are currently in 6th, 7th or 8th grade. Lunch and a morning snack will be provided to participants free of charge. The program is hosted and held at the University of St. Thomas, School of Engineering in St. Paul, MN.
Participants engineer, make, connect with mentors, explore the engineering labs, and enjoy life on campus. Girls will have the opportunity to make new friends and learn from college students and teachers about engineering.
*Registration for the 2025 STEPS Program is now closed.* Please join our mailing list to stay up to date on STEPS 2026. If you have questions, please contact us at CEE@stthomas.edu.
Contact
Center for Engineering Education
Sparking an Interest in STEM
The STEPS program one-day camps for 6th and 8th grade girls help to spark an interest in STEM. Hear from teachers, staff and STEPS participants in this WCCO, CBS Minnesota News interview filmed in June 2023.
Benefits for Girls Who Join the STEPS Program
- Gain knowledge about what engineers do.
- Learn from instructors with extensive backgrounds in STEAM education.
- Participate in hands-on workshops with high-tech equipment and processes.
- Make new friends and gain college-life experience and recreation at St. Thomas.
Who, When, Where and How Much?
Logistics
- Girls who are currently in 6th, 7th or 8th grade are eligible to apply.
- Because this program is at no cost, participants are selected randomly by lottery.
- STEPS one-day programs at St. Thomas are scheduled for the last week in June 2025.
- Camp begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 4:30 PM
- STEPS is free for all participants and includes a free lunch and morning snack.
- Applicants will be notified by the end of March whether or not they have been accepted to the STEPS program.
The 2025 dates for the STEPS Program:
- Grades 6th & 7th - Monday, June 23, 2025 (9:00am - 4:30pm)
- Grades 6th & 7th - Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (9:00am - 4:30pm)
- Grades 6th & 7th - Wednesday, June 25, 2025 (9:00am - 4:30pm)
- Grades 7th & 8th - Thursday, June 26, 2025 (9:00am - 4:30pm)
- Grades 7th & 8th - Friday, June 27, 2025 (9:00am - 4:30pm)