STEM Detective Challenge

Objective: 

• To introduce students to STEM careers and spark interest by solving real-world problems while highlighting the contributions of women in STEM.  
• To highlight the achievements of women in these careers, breaking down stereotypes and encouraging girls to see themselves as future STEM professionals. 

Description:  

1. Create and print career cards that each describe a STEM career (engineer, biologist, computer scientist, mathematician). Each card should feature a short bio of a female role model in that field. In this part of the activity start a short discussion on STEM fields and ask the students what they know about them. Share a few statistics on the gender gap in STEM and emphasize the importance of diversity Prepare clue envelopes for each career card, with clues or challenges that help the students learn about what each profession involves and how it impacts daily life. 
2. Organize the room into stations, each station represents a different STEM career, complete with a card and clue envelopes. Assign each group (they have to be gender balanced) to a starting station and hand out the first clue envelope. 
3. STEM detective challenge: each group starts at their designated station, reading the career card and then opening the first clue envelope. The clues will guide them through a series of tasks that involve problem-solving, critical thinking, or a mini-experiment relevant to the STEM career. Examples include: 

• Engineer station: design a bridge using only paper and tape to support a small object. 
• Biologist station: match various animals to their habitats and learn how biologists study ecosystems. 
• Computer scientist station: solve a basic logic puzzle or code a simple sequence using a visual coding tool. 

Each task should include a reflection question that connects the activity to the female role model's bio on the card, highlighting her contributions. After completing a station, each group moves to the next, collecting points for each completed task. 

1.  Wrap-up and discussion: once all groups have completed the stations, gather them for a discussion. Ask each group to share which station they enjoyed the most and why.Facilitate a conversation about what they learned about STEM careers and the roles women play in these fields. Encourage students to consider STEM as a career choice, regardless of gender, and discuss ways they can pursue STEM subjects in school.