UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), in collaboration with Partners for Education & Business, Inc. (PEB), an affiliate of MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, and the New York Power Authority (NYPA), recently hosted a two-day Future Women in STEM experience for middle school students from the Utica City School District, designed to spark curiosity and confidence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Held April 24 and 25 at the NY Energy Zone, located locally in Utica, the event engaged students through hands-on learning, near-peer mentorship, and real-world exposure to STEM careers. The initiative builds on PEB’s established Future Women in STEM program and reflects a shared commitment among partners to expand access to STEM pathways for young learners in the Mohawk Valley.
At the first session on April 24, students participated in an interactive field trip led by female industry-leaders from NYPA’s Women in Power employee group, alongside SUNY Poly students from the Women in Engineering (WiE) Club. Using snap circuits, students explored the fundamentals of electronics through critical thinking and problem-solving activities before touring the NY Energy Zone and completing hands-on challenges throughout the museum.
On April 25, the session focused on manufacturing and STEM exploration, where SUNY Poly
collaborated with Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection to help reduce barriers to participation by providing transportation and staff support for students and families. Wolfspeed representatives guided students through building a simple electrical circuit to help them understand how different components work together to generate electricity. The hands-on experience introduced basic electrical theory while demonstrating how a circuit operates.
Throughout both sessions, SUNY Poly WiE students pursuing STEM degrees served as near-peer mentors connecting classroom concepts to college pathways and career opportunities while building meaningful connections and reinforcing the importance of representation and relatable role models in STEM fields.
In addition to the Utica sessions, on Saturday, February 28, PEB partnered with the Griffiss Institute and Indium to host a session in Rome at the Connected Community Schools Impact Center. The event focused on sustainability in manufacturing. “PEB is proud to collaborate with SUNY Poly, NYPA, and local schools to bring hands-on STEM experiences directly to students,” said Taylor Hodge, Director of PEB. “By connecting young learners
with relatable role models in STEM, we help spark curiosity, build confidence, and open doors to future careers in fields where women are historically underrepresented. Programs like Future Women in STEM are essential to developing the next generation of innovators.”
“This experience is about more than a single event — it’s about showing students what’s possible,” said John Reade, Director of Pre-Collegiate Outreach at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. “By bringing together our students, industry partners, and educators, we’re creating an environment where young women can see themselves as future engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers.” “NYPA is proud to be a committed community partner here in Utica, and this collaboration reflects our belief that investing in the next generation strengthens the entire region. By connecting young women with hands-on learning and real role models in STEM, we’re helping build a workforce that is diverse, confident, and prepared to lead New York’s clean energy future. Supporting opportunities like this isn’t just part of our mission—it’s part of who we are as a statewide leader in workforce development and education,” stated Jessica Kirby, Director of Community & Government
Relations at New York Power Authority. “The Utica City School District is incredibly grateful to our partners at MACNY, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and the New York Power Authority for their collaboration and commitment to the Utica City School District,” said Michelle Hall, Director of Career & Technical Education at the Utica City School District. “Through these efforts, our students are not only provided meaningful opportunities, but are also inspired to explore and pursue pathways in STEM that will possibly shape their future.”
The Future Women in STEM series was originally launched through grant funding from the Women’s Fund of Central New York, an affiliate of the CNY Community Foundation. The program is in its fourth year in Syracuse, NY, hosted at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST). The expansion of the program into the Mohawk Valley represents a meaningful step forward in broadening the program’s impact, tailored to meet the needs of local students and schools. Funding from the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation has supported both the initial implementation and continued expansion of the program. SUNY Poly remains committed to strengthening STEM pipelines through early engagement, near- peer mentorship, and partnerships that connect education with industry.
