Assistant Director of the We Energies STEM Center, Sarah Stelsel, has won STEM Forward’s 2025 Excellence in STEM Award – Individual. The “Stemmy Awards” feature four categories: education, employer, partnership and individual. 

Stelsel has led the development of innovative, hands-on STEM programs that connect classroom learning to real-world applications and inspire K–12 students’ curiosity and creativity at the We Energies STEM Center. Her Fab Maker Studio curriculum evolved into the Generac Youth Engineering Design Academy, offering free, multi-session engineering experience. Through strong partnerships with educators, industry, and community organizations, she has expanded equitable access to STEM education and helped the STEM Center reach a record 7,000+ students in 2024–2025. Stelsel continues to enhance and diversify programs, from early technology experiences to revitalized initiatives like the NFPA Fluid Power Action Challenge. 

Along with the other recipients of the Stemmy Awards, Stelsel will be honored at STEM Forward’s sySTEMnow Conference on Oct. 29. 

The We Energies STEM Center at MSOE just celebrated its fifth anniversary, serving over 25,000 students in the Milwaukee area. The Center hosts year-round, hands-on programs in subjects ranging from artificial intelligence and robotics to engineering design challenges. Learn more at msoe.edu/stem.