Making connections

The Kummer Center for STEM Education is committed to expanding the community of young people engaged in science, technology, engineering and math by inspiring all learners — regardless of their background — to explore, grow and thrive.

State Fair

The STEM Mobile van drives through the Missouri State Fair entrance.
A green tent with the text "Drone Zone" with a netted enclosure, and two people seated at a table nearby.
Two people at Missouri S&T drone booth; one holds drone controls, the other wears an S&T shirt behind a net and table with equipment.
Child in pink shirt plays a wooden mine game at the Missouri S&T booth; game has wooden frames and ropes, others stand nearby.
Joe Miner mascot walks down the street high-fiving paradegoers.
Child uses a tablet to control robots on a table with red and blue geometric pieces.

The STEM Mobile brought hands-on activities to the 2025 Missouri State Fair, held Aug. 7–17 in Sedalia. Activities included flying drones, a wooden mine game, greeting Joe Miner and operating robots.

In addition to giveaways and prizes, attendees were able to enter to win a $1,000 scholarship to S&T or a full scholarship for a child, age 6–18, to attend an S&T summer camp.

Campus events

From low-tech games to high-tech science equipment, Missouri S&T visits provide thousands of school children with countless opportunities to play and learn. STEM Exploration Day is held in the spring for elementary school students, and STEM Day is held in the fall for junior high and high school students. Other themed visit days have focused on education with athletics, manufacturing and engineering.

16,424

campus event participants
(2021–25)

58

campus events
(2021–25)

Children play a ball game on a grassy lawn outside the Innovation Lab on a sunny day, with trees and the building in view.
STEM Exploration Day (spring 2025)
Two students in a lab examining a test tube under a light source.
STEM Day (fall 2024)
Student in lab goggles examines a red liquid in clear bag during a science activity.
STEM Day (fall 2024)

Summer Camps

Campers could pick their own adventure this summer, with 30 camp offerings at S&T for children ages 6–18. Perennial favorites returned, including Jackling Intro to Engineering and Explosives Camp, along with several new ones. Shown are: Worms to Stars Camp, Aerospace Camp, Light in Our World Day Camp, Superconductor Quantum World and World War II Re-enactment Camp.

A young boy smiles while sitting on the ground outside with papers as another person writes beside him.
Light in Our World Day Camp
Person in safety gear uses blowtorch on an object out doors; group in red shirts in the background watch.
Worms to Stars Camp
Child holds “Earth” sign with drawing, standing on a grassy path with trees in background.
Light in Our World Day Camp
Four youth outdoors work on a bottle rocket; one kneels to adjust it while the others observe.
Aerospace Camp
Two people in lab hold and point at petri dish.
Worms to Stars Camp
Youth in helmet and camo shirt sits in tall grass with blurred greenery in background.
World War II Re-enactment Camp