Upcoming Events

Founded in 2012, the STEM Expo is a science fair style event with “STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) booths set up throughout the UWM Student Union. At each booth (or “exploration station”) is a STEM-based activity or demonstration that is designed to interactively engage K-12 kids to incite and fuel their interests for all things STEM.

With a wide array of captivating modes of visual and hands-on learning exercises, both kids and parents alike get to see into the exciting world of STEM as well as socialize and network with the STEM professionals and undergrads that volunteer at the event from all over greater Milwaukee. This event is hosted by the ASCE SE Branch YMG and is supported by an elite group of sponsors coupled with a fantastic team of volunteers.

Hosted by STEM Forward, the Engineering Machine Design Contest (EMDC) is an opportunity for teams of 3 to 12 high school students to design and build a complex machine using everyday objects with the guidance of a coach. The completed machine will use multiple steps to complete a simple task. Teams showcase and exhibit their machine at a regional contest with the opportunity to advance to the Engineering Machine Design Championship. Teams are scored on a Team Journal, Team Presentation, and Machine Design and Operation.

Each year, a competition theme is chosen to guide the machine build, allowing whimsical creativity to flourish. The theme for 2026 is Engineering Across Eras: Innovating Industrial Engineering Through Time.

Interested in judging? Reach out to Theresa Wolf at twolf@stemforward.org.