The Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists (CABPES) hosted a hands-on STEM activities for students participating in CABPES Junior Engineers, Tomorrow’s Scientists (JETS) program at the University of Denver.

The event is a part of a semester-long curriculum, which is designed to encourage African American and other underrepresented minority youth to consider careers in STEM.

“CABPES is in the business of creating future engineers and scientists that will play a vital role in creating new technologies that make the world a better place,” says Dewey F. Brigham, Jr., Ph.D., executive director for CABPES. “We are excited to give students another great opportunity to participate in STEM activities to spark career interests.”

At the event, students had the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities built around this year’s theme: Improving Human Health Through Advancements in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Disciplines.

Professional engineers from organizations, including Burns & McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned engineering, architecture and construction firm, helped in leading the STEM activities at the event. Burns & McDonnell has also been partnering with CABPES on the semester-long effort to help encourage the next generation of STEM professionals. In 2022, the firm gave more than $1.2 million in STEM grants.

“CABPES has been a wonderful partner for Burns & McDonnell and we have been honored to serve as mentors and real-life examples of what it means to have a career in STEM,” says Dan Korinek, senior vice president and regional manager for Denver in Colorado. “It is also nice to see past participants of the CABPES program join our Burns & McDonnell team in Denver.”

The demand for STEM jobs is growing rapidly as technical industries face workforce shortages that will only become more crucial in the near future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a need for about 25,000 new civil engineers each year throughout this decade.