How Sports and STEM Intersect Workshop with Mortenson

On April 22, 2025, IGNITE Students from Cascade Middle School participated in a Workshop Event titled “How Sports and STEM Intersect,” hosted by Mortenson. The goal of the event was to show students how their interests in sports can connect to real careers in architecture, engineering, and construction.

The day began with a group stretch and an introduction to the activities. Students were then divided into small groups and challenged to design and build a basketball training facility using LEGOs. Each group tackled different parts of the process, from planning and sketching to constructing scale models. They were guided by professionals from Mortenson, the University of Washington, Gensler, and Holmes, who shared how their work supports sports facilities in real life. Students especially enjoyed the chance to be creative and work with their hands, and the LEGO models encouraged them to think critically about design, equity, and functionality.

After the activity, students attended a panel discussion featuring Jennifer Kim from Mortenson, Sydney Thiel from the University of Washington, and Emily Carlip from Holmes. The Panelists shared stories from their career paths, including moments of struggle, like receiving a D in architecture, and how they overcame those challenges with support from mentors and persistence. They described memorable experiences on the job, such as walking on catwalks during theater construction and designing furniture for athletes.

Students asked a variety of thoughtful questions, including what a typical office looks like, whether their jobs involve travel, what happens when things go wrong on a project, and what their favorite part of the workday is. They were curious about the real-world aspects of these careers and how professionals navigated their personal and professional journeys.

Panelists emphasized the importance of asking questions, staying curious, and finding mentors to help guide them through challenges. They encouraged students not to be discouraged by setbacks and to consider how their current interests could grow into meaningful careers.

The event was supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, including small group leaders Sydney Thiel, Chip Lydum, Mark Stauning, Carmen Scraper, Emily Carlip, and Roshan Alex. Tamara Hartner served as the event facilitator, with translation support from Melanie OrtizMuzquiz in Spanish and Vy Smith in Vietnamese. 

This Workshop offered students a meaningful and memorable experience that blended movement, creativity, and exposure to inspiring STEM careers, leaving them with new ideas about their futures and a better understanding of how sports and STEM can come together.