No matter what area your child is interested in, it’s important for them to have mentors who they can look up to. Knowing that there are people out there who are doing what they hope to be doing one day gives them the hope that they can do it too.

When it comes to STEM topics, there are many famous names out there who once attended a STEM program and also get involved in STEM-related topics before rising to the top. Giving your kids info on them can not only give them some useful knowledge but can also empower them to excel in the STEM program of their choosing.

Did you know…

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was part of a STEM-based club?

Jobs showed an early interest in electronics and all types of gadgets. He spent a lot of time working in the garage workshop of a neighbor who worked at Hewlett-Packard. He also enrolled in the Hewlett-Packard Explorer Club. There he had the opportunity to see engineers demonstrate new products. He was also exposed to his first computer at the age of 12. It’s said that he was extremely impressed and knew from there that he wanted to work with computers.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates wrote his first computer software program at age 13?

Gates got his own STEM-based group together by gathering several programmers who computerized their high school’s payroll system. They also founded a company called Traf-O-Data that sold traffic-counting systems to local governments.

Technology entrepreneur Elon Musk sold his first video game at age 12?

Musk was just 10 years-old when he started using an old inexpensive computer, Commodore VIC-20. He taught himself how to code and created Blastar, a Space Invaders-style video game. He sold the code for the game to PC and Office Technology for $500.

Google co-founder Larry Page was exposed to computers at a young age?

If you google Larry Page, you’ll discover that he spent a lot of time in front of computers at a very young age. Growing up, Page’s home was full of computers and science magazines. This fueled his fascination for technology. This coupled with an interest in business and innovation led Page to discover that he wanted to start his own company at the young age of 12.

These are just a few inspirational stories that show kids that with enough hard work and determination, they can also become successful in STEM-related areas. It’s important to get interested at a young age and continue to climb the ladder.

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