Hands-on STEM education is receiving additional funding as schools seek to connect classroom instruction with technical skills and potential career pathways. The Burns & McDonnell Foundation is directing $1 million toward STEM learning initiatives serving students and educators nationwide during the 2026-27 school year.
The investment will support programs operated through Project Lead The Way (PLTW) and the Burns & McDonnell STEM Grant Program, expanding access to project-based educational resources.
PLTW provides curriculum and educator resources covering areas such as engineering, computer science and biomedical science. The program uses project-based instruction designed to give students practical experience with STEM concepts.
The Burns & McDonnell STEM Grant Program is providing additional funding to schools during the current grant cycle. The foundation has selected schools to receive $500,000 through the program.
The foundation also has a separate three-year, $1.5 million commitment to PLTW covering 2025 through 2027. The combined initiatives extend the organization's support for STEM education beyond a single grant cycle.
The investment comes amid continued demand for workers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects STEM employment to grow 8.1% between 2024 and 2034, compared with 2.7% growth for non-STEM occupations.
For the construction industry, early exposure to engineering and technical disciplines can introduce students to fields connected to infrastructure, building systems, energy, technology and other technical sectors. Project-based learning also gives students opportunities to develop problem-solving and collaboration skills.
Burns & McDonnell supports STEM education through additional programs, including high school job-shadow opportunities, Future U STEM Camp and an Educators Summit. The organization also provides STEM activities and educational resources intended for use outside traditional classroom instruction.
The funding expands access to hands-on STEM education across schools in multiple locations rather than limiting support to a single community or institution. For construction and engineering employers, such programs provide an avenue for students to gain earlier exposure to technical disciplines that are relevant to the industry's future workforce.
The 2026-27 investment also builds on multiyear commitments and existing education programs, creating continued support for schools, educators and students participating in STEM learning.
Source: Burns & McDonnell.
