Early investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education is the focus of a new Kansas City-area initiative backed by Burns & McDonnell, with potential relevance to the construction industry's long-term workforce development efforts. The engineering and construction services provider is partnering with the Kansas City Chiefs and KC STEM Alliance to expand elementary math education through a program called Team Up for Math.
The partners will provide $625,000 over five years to support additional school partnerships, classroom resources and community volunteer involvement. The initiative is designed to strengthen students' foundational math skills before they progress to more advanced coursework.
Center School District will be the first participating district, incorporating hands-on math activities into school mentorship periods. Students will use board games, card games and other exercises to practice calculation, estimation, logical reasoning and strategic decision-making.
The program also combines academic practice with opportunities to develop teamwork and confidence. Additional materials will help teachers and families reinforce learning outside scheduled school activities.
Volunteers from Burns & McDonnell and the Chiefs organization will participate in program activities as the initiative expands to more schools.
The initiative comes amid continuing attention to foundational skills that support future participation in technical and engineering fields. The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress reported that 39% of U.S. fourth-grade students performed at or above the proficient level in mathematics. The corresponding figures were 36% in Missouri and 40% in Kansas.
Although the program focuses on elementary education rather than construction training, stronger math foundations can support later learning in technical disciplines relevant to engineering, construction management and other STEM careers.
The first phase is scheduled for the 2026-27 school year, with further school partnerships and volunteer opportunities planned for subsequent years.
For construction owners and industry employers, early STEM education initiatives represent one approach to building awareness of technical career pathways. Burns & McDonnell's participation connects its community investment with education in skills relevant to engineering and infrastructure work. The five-year funding commitment also establishes a multiyear framework for expanding the program's reach across Kansas City-area schools.
Source: Burns & McDonnell.
