Southeast to host STEM University for area scouts

More than 300 Greater St. Louis Area Council Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are expected to attend STEM University at Southeast Missouri State University on Saturday. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. Opening ceremonies start at 8:30 a.m. for Boy Scouts and 9 a.m. for Cub Scouts, both at Dempster Hall. According to a news release from the St. Louis Area Council of Boy Scouts, STEM University features a full day of activities involving science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Scouts sit in on sessions about energy, drafting, computers, electronics, photography, robotics, engineering and more. The day serves as a way to expose boys to new opportunities and help them develop skills critical for the world marketplace. The STEM program has caught the attention and support of many of the region's business and community leaders, including Southeast president Kenneth Dobbins, who will lead the opening ceremonies, the release said. It is estimated Missouri will have more than 100,000 STEM-related jobs needing to be filled by 2018, the release said.