Hey there, future scientists, engineers, and innovators!
The fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are rapidly evolving, and professionals in these areas are in high demand. By 2028, STEM jobs are projected to grow by 8.8%, compared to 5.0% for non-STEM jobs. Engaging in STEM activities now can pave the way for a promising future. Join us for an incredible hands-on experience at WSU Everett!
Saturday, November 15, 2025 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. | Lunch provided!
Keynote Speaker – Thea Smith
Thea Smith was elected as a Washington Technology Student Association (TSA) state officer during her 8th-grade year… the first (and only) middle school student elected to the state officer team. She went on to serve for four years as a state officer, including two years as the state president, before transitioning to the alumni representative position on the WTSA Board of Directors, as well as the social media manager and officer team coach.
Last year, as an industrial engineering student at California Polytechnic University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, she was selected as an official university ambassador, part of a 30-member group of students who represent the campus of 22,000+ students, lead walking tours for parents and potential Cal Poly students, and work as a liaison by collaborating with the university president and the admissions office to create a positive and welcoming environment for all visitors.
She took a non-traditional pathway during her education journey. During COVID, she was accepted as a Running Start college student in her sophomore year of high school, at Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles, Oregon. For her junior and senior years, she transferred to Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington, living on campus during the week and traveling home on weekends. She graduated in 2023 with both her high school diploma and her associate’s degree.
Thea worked as a quality control intern for Kiewit Construction on the Orange County Advanced Power Station project in Orange, Texas, this past summer, and last summer as a quality control intern for two CRH Americas companies, Central Premix and Interstate Concrete & Asphalt.
She has also worked as a lifeguard, a youth summer camp staff member, a head lifeguard, a camp coordinator, and a seasonal deckhand on a commercial fishing boat out of Alaska. She believes strongly in the community college system and non-traditional education pathways and is passionate about opportunities for women in STEM.
Event Highlights:
- Cybersecurity: Dive into the world of codes and ciphers—can you protect the digital realm?
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences: STEM in action – mix, measure, and make medicine!
- Data Analytics: Discover how numbers tell stories—are you ready to listen?
- Electrical Engineering: Light up your imagination with circuits and sparks!
- Mechanical Engineering: Design, build, and innovate—the future is in your hands.
- Organic Sustainable Agriculture: Learn how to nurture and sustain our planet.
- Software Engineering: Dive deep into coding and create your own digital universe.
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine: Learn about organs in the human body, how to conduct an ultrasound, and practice surgery knots.
- Everett Community College – Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA): ORCA is an innovative early college academy for high school students, who can earn up to two years of college credit while completing their high school graduation requirements. Learn how drones are utilized for data collection and then discuss data analytics with gray whale feeding patterns directly from the Puget Sound area here in Everett.
This event is open to all individuals in grades 6 through 12, aiming to create awareness of and encouragement for pursuing STEM education and career pathways. While students immerse themselves in exciting STEM activities, parents and guardians are invited to relax, enjoy refreshments, and visit our resource fair.
Did You Know?
In the United States, women make up half of the total college-educated workforce, yet they represent only 28% of the science and engineering workforce. This underrepresentation is not due to a lack of interest or capability but often stems from societal and cultural barriers. By participating in STEM activities from a young age, girls can take significant strides toward breaking these barriers and envision themselves as the next generation of STEM leaders.
