At Heraeus Electronics, progress is about more than advanced materials and technology. It’s also about empowering people and creating opportunities - especially for the next generation of innovators.
That belief comes to life through our collaboration with TryEngineering Together, a global STEM mentoring initiative developed by IEEE and Cricket. Over the past year, 33 Heraeus Group employees volunteered as e‑mentors, supporting students in grades 6–8 from economically underserved communities and helping spark curiosity for science, technology, engineering, and math.
Connecting Students with Real‑World STEM Role Models
TryEngineering Together pairs each student with a professional mentor in a safe, structured 1:1 online environment. Guided by an engaging STEM curriculum, mentors and students exchange messages, explore hands‑on activities, and discuss real‑world applications of science and engineering throughout the school year.
For students, this means direct access to people who use STEM skills every day. For mentors, it’s a chance to share experiences, insights, and encouragement at a critical moment when young learners are shaping their interests and confidence.
A Global Effort Across Heraeus
What makes this initiative especially powerful is the diversity of the volunteers involved. Participants came from Heraeus Covantics, Heraeus Electronics, Engineered Tissue Solutions, Heraeus Precious Metals, and the Heraeus Regional Center—representing roles across engineering, HR, finance, leadership, sales, marketing, healthcare, customer service, and education.
Over the course of the program, Heraeus mentors and their students exchanged nearly 400 written messages and dedicated more than 130 volunteer hours, discussing topics ranging from robotics and AI to renewable energy, space exploration, and cybersecurity.
Why Early STEM Mentoring Matters
Research shows that interest in STEM often declines early—long before students fully understand the opportunities these fields offer. At the same time, the demand for STEM skills continues to grow, making early access to role models and encouragement more important than ever.
Programs like TryEngineering Together help students:
- Develop confidence in STEM subjects
- See real‑world relevance of classroom learning
- Strengthen literacy, critical thinking, and problem‑solving skills
- Explore future education and career pathways
Creating Lasting Connections
At Heraeus, our purpose is to create lasting connections — between materials and between people. Through TryEngineering Together, those connections extend beyond our laboratories and production sites into classrooms and communities.
We’re deeply proud of every colleague who volunteered time, expertise, and encouragement to support young learners. Their commitment shows how meaningful change happens: one conversation, one student, one mentor at a time.
Learn more about the program:
