Opening Doors:

Representation, Culture, and STEM Careers at STEMFest

Representation Matters

This past weekend, 3DuxDesign had the privilege of supporting diversity in STEM through a cultural lens at STEMFest, hosted at CoCreate in Stamford, CT. The event was co-sponsored by the non-profit, 100 Black Men of Stamford in collaboration with EthnicOnline Network, bringing together over 100 families to explore how STEM connects with culture, community, and lived experience.

Throughout the day, parents and students engaged with inspiring panel discussions led by diverse black and brown role models, who shared their personal journeys and career pathways in STEM. These conversations highlighted the importance of representation, showing young learners that STEM careers are accessible, meaningful, and rooted in real-world experiences that reflect their own identities.

3DuxDesign Challenge: Homes and Habitats Around the World

At the 3DuxDesign table, kids stepped into the roles of architects, environmental scientists, and electrical engineers as they took on our Homes and Habitats Around the World design challenge. Students explored how culture, community, climate, geography, and natural resources all influence the way people build and live around the globe. Each team designed a tiny home specifically adapted to unique environments—deserts, tundras, rainforests, coastal regions, mountains, and more.

Once their homes were complete, students "leveled up" by integrating climate-based sustainable energy solutions. Using solar panels and wind turbines, they created lighting systems for their homes—bringing renewable energy into their design process and introducing simple circuit-building to deepen their understanding of energy transfer and sustainability.

The Ultimate Team Challenge: Global Crisis Scenario

By the final rotation—our sixth back-to-back workshop of the day—we decided to throw in one final twist for our last group of students. In this scenario, we introduced a global environmental catastrophe: an acid contamination in the ground that prevented anyone from standing on the earth’s surface.

With limited time and maximum excitement, teams worked collaboratively to adapt the community of tiny homes they had already built. Students designed elevated transportation systems—suspension bridges, ziplines, elevated pathways, swinging bridges, and even creative launching systems (catapults!)—to safely move people and supplies from one structure to another. It was incredible to watch their teamwork, problem-solving, and rapid prototyping skills come alive in real time.

Empowering the Next Generation

Throughout the day, students experienced how multiple disciplines and diverse perspectives come together to solve complex real-world challenges—and, most importantly, how their own voices, backgrounds, and ideas can drive innovation and meaningful change. Representation and exposure matter. When students see themselves reflected in STEM, they are empowered to believe that they belong—and that their ideas matter.