Hundreds of middle school students participate in STEM Challenge

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. On Tuesday, Feb. 28, over 300 middle school students from Waukesha and Milwaukee County put all of those skills to the test for the Catholic Memorial High School STEM Challenge.

"We love bringing all these students together here," said Donna Bembenek, president of Catholic Memorial High School. "It's a very fun day."

The students, representing 25 different middle schools, are given a challenge and materials and then spend the morning completing a project. This year's challenge was creating a bridge using popsicle sticks, cardboard, tape and other tools.

"We really focus on being creative and having fun all while learning about the Memorial Propel Process and the design process and basic engineering concepts like that," explained Allie Zabel, a senior at Catholic Memorial High School who once participated in the challenge and is now working as a student leader. "It just shows that something that we can learn in the classroom can be applied to something bigger."

Students were judged on factors including creativity and how much weight their bridge could hold. The winners are awarded scholarships to attend CMHS and the opportunity to continue STEM education in the school's award-winning program.

HAPPENING NOW: Over 300 middle school students from Waukesha and Milwaukee county are at Catholic Memorial High School today for the school’s 9th STEM Challenge. @CBS58pic.twitter.com/kgp17SOh0U

— Emerson Lehmann (@ELehmannTV) February 28, 2023

"The demand for STEM learning has only expanded exponentially over the past ten years," Bembenek said. "STEM really teaches the problem solving, creative thinking skills that students will need in their careers going forward. STEM learning and the concepts that they learn through STEM, and design thinking and problem solving are transferrable no matter what their career."

Amelia Diedrich is a sixth grader at Waukesha Catholic. While she has plenty of time to worry about what kind of career she'd like to pursue one day, she's grateful for the opportunity to take part in the STEM Challenge.

"It's very fun and you get to profit with your team and figure out how everything works," Diedrich said. "I get to be with my friends, and I get to work together with them and I like kind of doing hands on things."

Those fun experiences for students are what Bembenek says the day is all about.

"It's about the camaraderie, the learning, the problem solving," Bembenek said. "It is a fun day."