The need for qualified technology workers is a serious business. Last year the US Congress Joint Economic Committee published a report that outlined the demand for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) skills in the 21^st century. They made a compelling case that STEM careers are the growth field—the salaries are better and unemployment is lower in the these fields. The report further decried the shortage of qualified candidates for these jobs and the declining enrollment in STEM degrees.

It was a serious and well researched report. Sorry Congress, but I just couldn’t get through the whole thing. You see, I was one of those school girls who shied away from science and math. And girls like me just wanna have fun. 

Enter the Exploratorium. They are the original hands-on science museum and they are dedicated to making the business of learning science fun for adults and kids. We recently experienced this for ourselves when we rallied 200 salesforce.com employees to host 2,000 6^th graders from the San Francisco Unified School District. The kids joined us for a special sneak preview at the Exploratorium’s spectacular new location.

Now THAT was fun.

“So cool, this exhibit makes electric flames!” - James

The kids had a blast playing with the exhibits. Jay at the chicken embryo exhibit was wondering “Wow! Is it going to be cute and fluffy?” The cow eyeball dissections were a hit as were the displays allowing you to generate electricity and using your own body to make light and sound.

"Like any good geek, I will always be a little kid around fun science and tech.  What better way to give back to the community than to help actual kids find that same joy?", said Kevin Schraith, a salesforce.com Director of Software Engineering.

We partnered with the Exploratorium, the Mayor’s office, the 49ers and SFUSD on this event because we want to support their efforts to inspire middle school kids to high achievement in STEM curriculum. We want San Francisco to produce that 21^st century STEM professional.

Well…that and we also like playing with kids. Our trip to the Exploratorium is just one step in giving kids the excitement of technology.  We’re going to continue the fun by helping them design mobile apps, we’re going to have fun teaching them to code, we’re going to have fun inspiring them to a career in the technology field. We’re gonna have fun.