Self-paced online course • ~8 hours • For ages 13–16
Enrollment opens October
Program by
Unlock a free credential co-created by EXPLR and the National STEM Festival, drawing on real conversations from Office Hours, STEAM Star, and ConnectED. Finish the course to earn a shareable digital badge.
Who This Is For
- Teens (13–16) exploring STEM pathways
- Clubs, after-school programs, and homeschoolers
- Counselors/teachers looking for a plug-and-play option
What You’ll Do
- Watch short “day-in-the-life” clips from engineers, scientists, and creators
- Sample two career clusters (you choose)
- Map the skills you already have (teamwork, problem-solving, communication)
- Build a simple 30-day Try-It Plan to test a role in real life
- Create a 90-second capstone video + a one-page action plan to share with mentors
You’ll hear from professionals at:
- GE Aerospace
- Nestle
- Lockheed Martin
- Nokia
- Project Management Institute (PMI)
- General Motors (GM)
- Entrepreneurs and startups
- Experts across STEAM fields
- …and more
Brand references indicate areas of professional expertise and case discussion, not corporate sponsorship or endorsement unless otherwise noted.
About EXPLR & the National STEM Festival
EXPLR is a youth learning platform and producer of the National STEM Festival. We design practical, portfolio-ready learning that connects teens to real careers.
The National STEM Festival is a free, public celebration of student innovation featuring Office Hours, mentor sessions, and hands-on experiences—many of which power this course.
Course Outline
- Kickoff — why STEM careers matter & set your goal (~30 min)
- STEM, De-Mythified — what jobs really look like (~55 min)
- Try Two Career Clusters — you choose the tracks (~55 min)
- Skills You Already Have — tell your story with S.T.A.R. (~55 min)
- Day-in-the-Life, Unpacked — tools, tasks, teams, safety (~55 min)
- Getting Started — build your 30-day Try-It Plan (~55 min)
- Paths & Paying for It — apprenticeships, college, skills training (~55 min)
- Capstone Workshop — 90-sec video + one-page plan (~120 min)
Why It Matters
STEM work powers everything from clean energy to movie VFX. This course helps you find a role that fits, then take real-world steps to try it. No exams—just action you can show on applications and to mentors.
Badge & Outcome
Earn a verifiable digital badge from EXPLR when you complete all modules and upload your capstone. Share it on LinkedIn, resumes, and applications to show commitment and initiative.
Pricing
Price: FREE • Access: 1 year from enrollment date
