Teachers: Try this Pi Day STEM career activity

If you’re a teacher, chances are you’ve found some fun ways to slip math into unexpected spots of your curriculum on Pi Day, otherwise known as 3.14 or March 14.

Pi Day also offers a great opportunity to get kids thinking about careers. Lots of students are aware that STEM careers are some of the hottest career options they’ll have after graduation.  And lots can name stem careers such as Engineer, Scientist, or Video Game Designer.  This Pi Day, you can introduce students to a slew of STEM careers they may not have ever heard about.

Get started at the Occupation Profile on CareerOneStop’s GetMyFuture.org. Students will find quick access to career information such as job outlook, average pay, education requirements, and more for more than 800 careers. You can challenge students to use the Profile to research STEM careers, and prompt them by identifying some little known but high-interest options, such as the following:

• Actuaries: The people who analyze statistical data and make risk calculations for insurance and other purposes—in other words, the people who can predict how long any one person might live.
• Biochemical Engineers: The scientists who mix biology, chemistry, and engineering to solve problems of life and death—in people, plants, and animals.
• Biostatisticians: The only people in the world who know what biostatistical theory is—and can apply it to the study of life sciences.
• Cartographers and Photogrammetrists: The people who collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information using GIS and other mapping systems (some of which they design themselves!)
• Cytotechnologists: Studiers of cells who detect evidence of cancer and other issues.
• Environmental Economists: Economic researchers who focus on environmental protection and the natural environment.
• Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists: Scientists who make sure that machines, objects, and other facilities, best fit and work for the people who use them.
• Industrial Ecologists: People who draw from the physical and social sciences to maximize the use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services.
• Information Security Analysts: The computer scientists responsible for protecting computer networks and information.
• Mechatronics Engineers: The people who research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.
• Pathologists: Scientists who  study the nature, cause, and development of diseases—and occasionally perform autopsies.