Have you registered for sySTEMnow?
The sySTEMnow Conference is Southeast Wisconsin’s premier event for advancing STEM education and workforce development. This year, we celebrate its 23rd year with the theme, “Let's Go! Discovering the Joy in STEM,” encouraging exploration from early curiosity to lifelong STEM careers.
You won't want to miss this full-day event, featuring two keynote speakers, informative breakout sessions, local youth showcasing their Gen STEM displays, and plenty of networking. The award winners of the 2026 'Excellence in STEM Awards ~ The Stemmys' will also be presented during the luncheon.
Register or sponsor by October 23rd!
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Thank You to our sySTEMnow Sponsors!
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Attention Educators - Hurry and Register for Future City!
Wisconsin Regional registration for Future City is closing soon! STEM Forward’s largest STEM challenge provides an authentic engineering experience that transforms middle school students’ understanding of STEM while building teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, and project management skills.
2026/27 Theme: Fire Resilient Future challenges students to design a resilient future city that can prevent, protect, and recover from urban wildfires.
Visit the 2027 Future City Program Handbook for guidelines.
What is the cost? The regional competition registration fee has been waived, and attendance is free, but you must register soon.
Register by October 31st!
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Future City Mentors
Help guide students through this exciting, project-based competition, which runs for 4+ hours from September to January. You will support students by listening to their ideas, offering thoughtful feedback, and sharing your experiences to foster enthusiasm for a potential STEM career. Most educators for the 2026/27 season have been paired, but if you are interested in being a 2027/28 mentor, contact the Wisconsin Regional Coordinator or complete our Mentor Pairing Form.
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Register for Contrapt Wisconsin Competition!
2027 Theme: Hit that Note – Play a Musical Instrument in 8 or More Steps
- WAUKESHA DATE CONFIRMED! Waukesha County Technical College: April 30, 2027
- Milwaukee at MSOE Kern Center: Friday, May 7, 2027
Middle school educators are invited to register and choose from two participating locations! Schools may enter up to four teams, allowing multiple groups of students to showcase their talents to their peers and our judges and earn awards.
Contrapt accomplishes a simple task in the most complicated, fun way possible. The challenge not only helps students build engineering skills with simple machines, but also fosters learning through project planning, physics, teamwork, and creativity.
Visit the Preliminary 2027 Handbook for Contrapt guidelines.
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Register for the Engineering Machine Design Contest!
2027 Theme: Engineering the Invisible Universe: Atoms to Applications at the Nanoscale
- Milwaukee Regional Competition at Discovery World: Friday, March 19, 2027
- Championship Date at Mankato State University: Friday, April 16, 2027
This hands-on competition invites teams of 3 to 12 high school students to participate with guidance from a designated coach! Each year, the competition theme guides the machine build: a multi-step machine using everyday objects to complete a simple objective. Teams will then showcase and exhibit their machine at the regional contest and may advance to the championship.
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| | | | If you have questions about Future City, Contrapt or EMDC, please contact Kaity Thompson, the STEM Forward Program and Events Manager, at kthompson@stemforward.org. | | Don't Miss These Opportunities | |
Registration is OPEN for 2027 WI KidWind Challenge! | Grades 3-12
This hands-on renewable energy competition engages students in STEM. Teams build and test wind turbines or solar devices, learning about energy engineering through collaboration and hands-on discovery. They then attend their Regional Challenges to test their device's power output, present their design process, and tackle instant challenge activities. The top student regional teams advance to the WI State KidWind Challenge in Madison on March 13, 2027. Register now - November 15, 2026.
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NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) | High School Award
NCWIT AiC is an opportunity for students to be recognized for their interest in computer science, IT and/or robotics. Applicants will be enrolled in the Aspirations Community of over 30,000 like-minded high school, college, and early-career individuals in IT. Opportunities include networking, webinars, mentorships, internships, workshops, and summer programs. Apply by October 27, 2026.
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WTM WI Tech Month
October celebrates a month-long event that brings together Wisconsin leaders, founders, funders, and technologists. Learn more, as each week will focus on a different TECH-inspired topic, with hosted events across the state. STEM Forward is participating in WTM by hosting the sySTEMnow conference in support of this month's all things tech!
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SEE Your Future Expo: Feature Your Career!
The Academies of Racine in Racine Unified is currently recruiting professionals from all industries to share their careers at our annual SEE Your Future Expo on November 2nd. Register by October 19, 2026.
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MSOE STEM Center High School Community Robotics Team
Do you know a high school student interested in participating in competitive robotics? Join MSOE’s FIRST FRC team – Milwaukee Cyber Cheese! No experience is required. Team meetings are on Mondays and Thursdays from 5–8 pm at MSOE and are free to any high school student!
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Careers in Energy Week
This year marks CEWD’s 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of commitment to developing a highly skilled energy workforce and driving year-round engagement and advocacy. Learn how to contribute to the next generation of STEM-inspired minds. This event will take place from October 19-23, 2026.
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DiscoverE's Outreach Grants 2027
DiscoverE’s grant opportunities are now open for 'Engineers Week Outreach' and 'Girl Day.' Grants support volunteers and educators in introducing the next generation of innovators to the fascinating world of engineering. Grants range from $250 to $1,000.
| | | See What We Have Been Up To | | Day of STEM Opportunities | |
Bring A Day of STEM To Your School!
Our Day of STEM program will team up again this year with Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), the Wisconsin DNR, and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) to connect with local schools and bring STEM professionals directly to the classroom. Individual volunteers or employee teams provide tailored content and visit schools on a scheduled day to share career experiences, lead hands-on activities, and engage in thought-provoking STEM discussions.
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| | | Grades 5-12 | Groups of 10-30: Students learn about wildlife conservation careers and how Wisconsin DNR staff protect animals and habitats. The activity includes hands-on identification with furs, feathers, skulls, tracks, and (fake) scat. Sessions are 40-50 minutes, or can be adjusted to 20-60 minutes. | | | | Grades 9 | Groups of 10-12: A mobile STEM lab is brought to your school for a hands-on automation demonstration. Please note: Available only to Milwaukee County Schools and requires a 15' x 25' off-street parking space. Students participate in a 10–20-minute session. | | | | Grades 5-12 | Groups of 10-25 (smaller preferred): SEWRPC engages students in a hands-on activity that explores careers in city planning while highlighting how planning decisions can impact our communities and affect our environment. Sessions are 45–50 minutes, or can be adjusted to 25–60 minutes. | | | | |
