On September 23, nearly 500 Duncanville ISD middle schoolers spent the day exploring science, technology, engineering and math at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science during United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ annual STEM Fest. 

As a part of our Aspire United Volunteer Series sponsored by Texas Instruments, this year’s STEM Fest, sponsored by Comerica Bank, Mr. Cooper Group and Vistra, offered students a chance to get hands-on with robotics and drones, dive into chemistry experiments and experience the museum’s immersive Bug Lab exhibit. Along the way, students developed meaningful connections with volunteers, mentors and community partners, including FC Dallas legend Kenny Cooper Jr. and mascot Tex Hooper, who shared their experiences and highlighted real-world career pathways in high-demand STEM fields. 

Events like STEM Fest are designed to spark curiosity, fuel imagination and prepare students for success after high school. The fun-filled day is just one example of how we’re uniting the community to advance our mission to improve access to education, income and health—because when local scholars are college- or career-ready, they have the foundation for a lifetime of opportunity in each of our three focus areas. 

“Sparking an interest in STEM is just one way United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and our partners are working together to prepare the next generation of innovators,” said Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. 

As STEM-related jobs continue to grow across Texas and wages rise in Dallas, ensuring all our region’s students are exposed to STEM career pathways at an early age is critical. Many of the schools represented at STEM Fest wouldn’t otherwise have access to opportunities like this.  

“This is an opportunity for kids who may not get to have the same experiences that some of their other peers have. So, they have got a level playing field in terms of engagement and learning opportunities,” said Susan Hoff, chief strategy and impact officer at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. 

STEM Activities Engage Young Minds 

During the September 23 STEM Fest event, fifth and eighth graders from Duncanville ISD enjoyed unforgettable STEM activities designed to get them excited about learning. The stations included: 

• EdTech Robotics and Drones: Students experimented with coding, using Texas Instruments calculators to write programs to autonomously drive the TI-Innovator™ Rover as close as possible to Rover, a toy dog, without bumping him. The fun challenge taught coding basics and explored the relationship between distance, time and speed. 

• Prompt Engineering: Students were introduced to large language models—the type of model behind ChatGPT—and learned about the uses and limitations of LLMs.  

• Money$ense Spend Smart ‘This or That’ Edition: This fun, fast-paced financial education workshop introduced students to some of the basics of strategic spending decisions.  

• Sports Hall with FC Dallas: Students put their athletic prowess to the test and learned about the physical and mental demands it takes to become a great athlete. 

Why STEM Matters for North Texas Students 

STEM education doesn’t just build technical skills—it cultivates curiosity, critical thinking and creativity. By encouraging young people to explore and experiment, STEM activities equip students with problem-solving tools they can apply in school, in the workforce and in life. 

Research shows that when students engage in STEM, they gain confidence and develop a mindset that helps them adapt to new challenges. These lessons extend beyond the classroom, preparing students to address real-world issues and strengthening their readiness for college or a career. 

North Texas is experiencing rapid growth in industries like engineering, computing and the life sciences. STEM programming helps ensure our students are prepared to seize those good-paying opportunities, which will enable them to build greater financial stability in life. By leveling the playing field for students who might not otherwise have access to high-demand STEM careers, United Way and our partners are helping to build a more competitive workforce for the future. 

A Century of Expanding Opportunity 

This year’s STEM Fest is especially meaningful as it marks the final event in our Centennial year Aspire United Volunteer Series, launching us directly into our Centennial Celebration presented by PepsiCo at Fair Park on Saturday, November 15. It reflects exactly what we’ve been striving for since 1925: improving access to the building blocks of opportunity—education, income and health—for every North Texan. 

To read more about this year’s STEM Fest, check out NBC5’s coverage here. 

Be Part of the Change 

With the support of volunteers, donors and corporate partners, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is expanding access to STEM programs and shaping a brighter future for our next generation of leaders. Here’s how you can help ensure every child has the chance to thrive: 

• Give: Invest in our education initiatives by making a one-time or recurring gift that supports students right here in North Texas. 

• Advocate: Sign up for our Advocacy Alerts and stand with us on key issues that strengthen education and workforce pathways in our community. 

• Volunteer: Explore hands-on opportunities to mentor and inspire the next generation through our volunteer programs. 

Together, we can Live United and continue building the next century of opportunity for North Texas.