Engineering Is Fun Inspires the Next Generation of STEAM Leaders

Dawn Norris
3 hours ago
2 min read

By Jennifer Turner Program Director, New Era Creative Space

As a child, I dreamed of becoming a doctor. With strong grades and encouragement, it felt possible—until that dream quietly faded. Looking back, I often wonder if it disappeared due to a lack of exposure.

Years later, while working at IBM, I had the opportunity to introduce students to science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) during Engineer’s Week. Watching skeptical students turn into excited future engineers was powerful—and it happened again and again.

At the same time, I was a Girl Scout leader. Bringing those same hands-on experiments to my troop sparked excitement not only among the girls, but their families as well. That momentum led to the creation of Engineering Is Fun, co-founded with retired IBMer Ed Jones, who continues to lead activities alongside his daughters.

For 17 years, Engineering Is Fun has delivered engaging, hands-on experiences—from lemon battery experiments and AI dance challenges to ice cream science, hovercrafts, and fingerprinting with the Westchester County Forensics Lab. Thanks to the support of sponsors including IBM, Home Depot, Girl Scouts, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, and now New Era Creative Space (NECS), we have inspired more than 1,700 students to explore STEAM careers.

Today, my daughter Mya is a software engineer, and my daughter Briana hopes to become a teacher, inspiring future STEAM leaders. That impact is why we continue.