STEM SUCCESS Self-Esteem Programs help build confidence in kids and teach problem-solving skills BY SONYA STINSON Through STEM figure out how to correct them, they build self-esteem. “They’re going to learn that ‘As I try to build some-thing or create something new, I’m going to have failures — but through my failures, I need to learn,’” says Carter, who is now an education diversity, equity and inclusion specialist for the National Inventors Hall of Fame. “They are learning that process instead of just giving up.” Encouragement From Adults W hen Matthew Carter’s eldest daughter started attend-ing the National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM Middle School in Akron, Ohio, she became a differ-ent kind of student. “Her outlook and her perspective started to change,” says Carter, who at the time was a middle school teacher himself in nearby Canton and about to shift into instructional coaching. “She looked at things with a higher level of thinking and started to question and challenge things more.” Before long, Carter’s daughter was editing videos and creating her own PowerPoint presentations at home. In her STEM-cen-tered studies at school, she was learning how to use critical thinking skills to solve prob-lems and discovering that learning wasn’t just work but also fun. “One thing about the engineer’s, scientist’s and inventor’s mindset is that it’s all about play,” he says. “That’s how you learn how to create.” Carter was so impressed by his daughter’s educational experience that he adopted some of the same principles in his own classroom, where he saw those students become more excited about learning, too. One of the most important skills kids learn by participating in STEM studies and extracurricular activities is how to find answers through trial and error. In an environment that offers them the freedom to explore new ideas, make mistakes and 58 Diversity in Action | SUMMER 2023 For kids who hesitate to take part in STEM activi-ties for fear of leaving their comfort zones, the encour-agement of parents, educa-tors and adult mentors can make a big difference. For example, adult volunteers play a central role in the success of the mentor-based FIRST® robotics programs for Pre-K-12 students. Inventor Dean Kamen founded the international not-for-profit organization in 1989, naming it with an acronym that means For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. Along with building science, engineering and technol-ogy skills, FIRST programs aim to inspire kids to be innovative, strengthen their communication and leader-Matthew ship skills, and become more Carter self-confident, according to the organization’s mission statement. “We know that at FIRST kids are not only build-ing STEM skills when they engage in our programs, they also are building life skills,” says Dr. Janell Catlin, vice president of equity, diversity, and inclusion for FIRST. “They’re learning how to Dr. Janell Catlin collaborate with one another, to communicate with one another, to celebrate differ-ences. We also know that STEM is a great pathway for building self-esteem.” In September 2022, FIRST launched a new promotional campaign called More Than that calls upon adults to encourage PHOTOS: TOP LEFT COURTESY OF MATTHEW CARTER; BOTTOM LEFT COURTESY OF JANELL CATLIN