kids corner
why STEM?
In a world that’s always changing, it's more important than ever that kids are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make smart decisions. These are the kinds of skills that students develop in science, technology, engineering and math— also known as STEM. A STEM education opens the door to a future where students like you can understand and solve some of the complex challenges of today and tomorrow.
chevron STEM zone glossary
Aerospace engineer: Aerospace engineers design and specialize in aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.
Augmented reality: A version of reality created using technology to add digital information on something being viewed through a device.
Biologist: A person who studies and researches the science of life.
Biomedical engineer: Biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with medical sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software.
Biometrics: The measuring of personal physical or behavioral characteristics
Carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS): CCUS refers to a series of emissions reduction technologies that involve the capture of carbon dioxide, its transport through pipelines or by ship, and either use as a resource or permanent storage of the carbon dioxide in geological formations.
Cartographer: A person who collects, measures, and interprets geographic information to create and update maps and charts for regional planning, education, and other purposes.
Chemist: Chemists study substances and analyze the ways substances interact with each another.
Climate scientist: A person who studies and researches the history of Earth's climate and makes future predictions of the climate based on data.
Combustion: The chemical process of burning fuel to produce power.
Cosmetic scientist: A person who develops and formulates skin care, personal care and color cosmetics for manufacturers.
Cryptozoologist: A person who researches animals whose existence or survival is unsubstantiated, like mermaids and Bigfoot.
Data scientist: A person that analyzes and interprets data to inform better decision making.
Dehydration: Dehydration is the removal of water from an object.
Environmental engineer: Engineers that use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems.
Ethical hacker: A person who intentionally tries to hack computer systems to test their security.
Food chemist: A person who researches the chemistry of food and food formulas.
Geneticists: A specialist in heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.
Geographer: A specialist in geography, the study of the topographical features of a region or planet.
Geophysicist: A person who studies the intersection of geology and the Earth and its atmosphere.
Hydration: A chemical reaction where water is combined with another substance.
Injection molding: The process of injecting molten material into a mold to produce a new material.
Kinetic energy: The energy an object possesses because of its motion.
Lubrication: The process of using a lubricant to reduce friction between two objects and allow smoother movement.
Materials scientist: A person who studies substances at the atomic and molecular levels and analyzes the ways in which the substances interact with one another.
Mathematician: A person who analyzes data and applies mathematical and statistical techniques to help solve problems.
Mechanical engineer: A person who designs, develops, builds, and tests mechanical and thermal sensors and devices.
Meteorologist: A person who studies the weather and climate.
Overheating: An unexpected rise in temperature that can cause harm and accidents.
Potential energy: The type of energy an object has because of its position. This is the opposite of kinetic energy.
Robotics engineer: A person who designs robotic systems and researches methods to manufacture them.
Sabermetrician: A person who collects and summarizes empirical data related to baseball.
Seismologist: A person who studies earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Statistician: A person who applies statistical methods and models to help solve real-world problems.
STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Thermal imaging: Creating an image by detecting and mapping out an objects’ infrared radiation.
Thermographer: A specialist in thermal evaluation and imaging.
Toxicologist: A person that studies and researches the effects of poisons, drugs, and other chemicals.
Virtual reality: A computer-generated simulation that allows a user to interact with an artificial environment.
Zoologist: A person who specializes in zoology, the science or branch of biology dealing with animals.