School is Out! STEM is In!
D.I.V.A.S. for Social Justice in their Makerspace in the Historic Coliseum Building. D.I.V.A.S. Co-Founder and Executive Director Clarisa James second from right (at laptop).
When young people are given the opportunity to explore, ask questions, and see themselves reflected in real-world careers, their sense of possibility expands. That belief is at the heart of one of our firm’s core values: service —how we actively listen, support, and engage with our clients, colleagues,
and community.
With Minneapolis Public Schools out for Spring Break, we are excited to co-host a Family STEM Day in partnership with The Bakken Museum, D.I.V.A.S. for Social Justice, and the 3M Visiting Wizards. The event will bring together families and young learners for a day of curious creativity rooted in science, math, and art.
Architecture lives at the intersection of these disciplines—science, math, and art shaping the built environment around us. Yet representation within the profession remains limited. Today, only 27% of licensed architects are women, and just 0.5% are Black women. Creating opportunities for young people—especially young women of color—to see and experience what architects do is an important step toward changing that reality.
“You can’t be what you can’t see.”
Marian Wright Edelman
American activist for children’s rights and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund
Barriers to architecture licensure often begin long before professional training. Access to education, scholarships, and mentorship can shape whether students pursue pathways in design and STEM fields. With the high school graduation rate for Black students in Minnesota at 73.9% in 2024, strengthening math and science skills remains a critical opportunity for expanding access to careers like architecture.
That commitment to exposure and mentorship is why we created CAMP SEE, our summer day camp focused on environmental stewardship and sustainability. Working with middle and high school girls of color, the program introduces how design decisions affect carbon emissions while integrating math and science concepts used in the profession. Needless to say, many participants are surprised to discover just how much math architects use every day.
Family STEM Day builds on this mission by inviting young people and families to experience hands-on activities, experimentation, and exploration. Through partnerships with organizations that share our commitment to education and equity, we hope to spark curiosity about how STEM and design shape the world around us.
