Engineering for All
Every child has the ability to engineer. At The Works Museum, kids are the engineers, using real tools and materials and applying the engineering design process to solve problems. They create, collaborate, iterate to improve their ideas, and learn how to persist through setbacks.
When kids have hands-on experiences with engineering, critical STEM concepts come to life and reinforce learning. Through our Engineering for All program, children across our region can access these quality STEM experiences.
Engineering for All Programs
K-6 school workshops – programs delivered as part of field trips or directly at schools. Workshops reinforce classroom concepts and are aligned with the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Science
Family Engineering Nights – brought directly into communities, students explore engineering activities with their adults and siblings, encouraging multi-generational learning
Summer camps and school break camps – with camps to serve a variety of interests, kids continue learning when school isn’t in session
Gateway Access Program – subsidized access to programs for schools and families
Engineering activities for kids – downloadable activities to do at home or in your classroom
Resources for Educators – downloadable 24”x36” Engineering Design Process poster
Why Engineering for All Matters
Every child deserves the opportunity to explore STEM, build confidence, and dream big about their future. Our programs bring engineering to life through hands-on experiences that develop problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and persistence—essential skills for success in any field.
Our Impact
To date we’ve served 48,102 students through Engineering for All in 2024.
In 2024, an unprecedented 26,908 people participated in our education programs via Gateway, comprising 43% of our total audience, and 31% growth over the previous year.
We’ve also served more than 12,500 campers in our summer and school break camps.
Family Engineering Night Programs
Supporting Statistics and Insights:
Early STEM experiences shape confidence and future success in science and math. (National Science Board, 2020)
STEM careers offer higher earnings—$77,400 median vs. $46,900 in non-STEM fields. (Pew Research Center, 2021)
STEM jobs are growing twice as fast as other industries. (STEM Connector, 2018)
STEM skills create adaptable, future-ready workers. (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2017)
Engineering for All Partners
Barr Engineering Co.
BNSF Railway
Burns & McDonnell Foundation
Emerson
Hardenbergh Foundation
Lilian Wright and C. Emil Berglund Foundation
Parker Hannifin Foundation
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
Tennant Foundation
Get Involved
Ready to make a difference? To learn more about becoming a partner, sponsor, or volunteer for Engineering for All, reach out to us at giving@theworks.org.
“Students are given a chance to think and make a design of their own...It’s not just more on discussion but the workshop focuses on developing creative and critical thinking among the students.”
“Our students enjoy every piece. They mention that they felt that they were playing and learning at the same time!”
“The hands-on experience was great! The kids loved the materials and having suggested ideas for some stations helped spark creativity. The K’NEX ramp was a hit!”