HOUGHTON — On Thursday, May 14, middle school girls from across the Western Upper Peninsula will gather at Michigan Technological University for the Junior Achievement Girls’ Dream Fair, a high-energy, hands-on STEM experience designed to build curiosity, confidence, and connection to real careers right here at home.

Hosted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Michigan Tech’s Memorial Union Building (MUB), the event connects students with local women working in science, technology, engineering, and math, showing girls what’s possible when they can see it, try it, and talk to someone who’s already doing it.

WLUC TV6 meteorologist Jennifer Perez will emcee the event, helping guide students through a day focused on inspiration, exploration, and connection. The Girls’ Dream Fair is being brought to the Western U.P. by Junior Achievement of the Upper Peninsula as part of a proven model that has been delivered in four Michigan communities for over a decade. In a region powered by makers, problem-solvers, engineers, healthcare professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs, the goal is simple: give girls early, positive exposure to STEM pathways, before they decide “that’s not for me.”

“The Junior Achievement Girls’ Dream Fair is not just a student event; it’s a responsibility,” said Dr. Meredith LaBeau, Chief Technology Officer at Calumet Electronics. “If we want a strong future workforce, a resilient economy, and sustainable livelihoods, we have to start early. Girls need real exposure to careers, hands-on experiences, and role models they can relate to. That doesn’t happen by chance; it happens when industry and community step up. This is one of the most direct ways we can invest in our future, and it’s on all of us to make it count.”

What students will experience

The day is busy, practical, and focused on participation rather than lectures. Girls will:

• Hear from local women in STEM during an interactive panel

• Rotate through hands-on breakout sessions and activities designed to spark curiosity and confidence

• Meet mentors, ask questions, and explore education and career pathways in a low-pressure, encouraging environment

• Attend a career fair where local companies will highlight careers in STEM

Call for community sponsors and volunteers

To ensure this programming is accessible to local U.P. schools and families, Junior Achievement is seeking:

• Sponsors to underwrite student programming costs, learning materials, and event logistics so participation is at no cost to local schools.

• Women in STEM careers to serve as mentors, as well as volunteers to assist with event flow and help students feel welcomed and seen. STEM professionals, skilled tradespeople, educators, Michigan Tech students, parents, and community members are all encouraged to participate.

• Local companies to participate in the career fair so girls can see their future opportunities.

If you’ve ever said, “We need more young people going into these careers,” here’s your moment. This is how the pipeline starts: one conversation, one role model, one “wait… I could do that.”

Schools: Reserve space now

School administrators, counselors, and educators who want to bring a group of students can contact Jay Ediger at jay.ediger@ja.org, or register now: https://forms.gle/guVuEYErcoAd8JSeA

About Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement of the Upper Peninsula is expanding opportunities in the Upper Peninsula to connect more students with real-world experiences that build confidence, capability, and future-ready skills. Junior Achievement has over 100 local JA Areas across the nation, and together are the nation’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA’s programs in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.