In 2017, MSOE made a strategic investment in STEM outreach by establishing a dedicated department to grow, sustain and develop a comprehensive STEM pipeline for all students in Milwaukee and beyond. Since then, the number of students who have participated in these programs has quadrupled. MSOE STEM has now reached more than 10,000 students from 150 K-12 schools.

MSOE partnered with We Energies, Rockwell Automation, and American Family Insurance to convert 10,000 SF of existing ground-level campus space on the north side of Pamela and Hermann Viets Field, becoming the WE Energies K-12 Stem Center at MSOE. The center enables MSOE to continue to grow their in-house programming and allow students from any school – public, private, charter and homeschool – to have access to hands-on, one-of-a-kind STEM experiences.

We Energies, Rockwell Automation, and American Family each bring a unique contribution to the STEM center project, all to support the shared goal of providing opportunities to bring together schools, local companies, community groups, and organizations to create impactful, inclusive programming. Diversity and inclusion are an intentional and integrated part of the strategy for the STEM Center to empower and support all K-12 students in their exploration of STEM futures in a dedicated safe space.

The new facility includes a large FIRST Robotics competition field, tool room and cages, flexible technology studio, design development lab and classroom, conference space, offices, study areas, a kitchenette, and an outdoor collaboration plaza.