Volunteer Appreciation Week: Becca Stearns

Becca Stearns volunteering at She Engineers 2024

During Volunteer Appreciation Week, we are excited to celebrate the many volunteers who help make The Works Museum a place where curiosity and creativity thrive. One of those volunteers is Becca Stearns, whose behind-the-scenes contributions and steady support help keep hands-on learning experiences running smoothly for kids and families. 

Becca describes herself as “an art human, not a STEM human,” but her work at a manufacturing company, Polar Semiconductor, in Bloomington first introduced her to The Works Museum and the impact engineering experiences can have on young learners. What started as a workplace volunteer opportunity quickly became something more personal. Today, Becca volunteers regularly on her own time, often helping once a month as well as supporting family events like She Engineers and Tech Fest throughout the year. 

Much of Becca’s volunteer work happens behind the scenes preparing materials for programs and activities. On any given visit, she might be stripping wires, counting pom-poms, cutting mirrors, or organizing supplies that educators and visitors will later use in workshops, camps, and at Family Engineering Nights. These tasks may seem simple, but they play an essential role in making hands-on learning at the museum possible. 

“I love being able to come in and just count for a couple of hours and know that I am giving back,” Becca shared. Her perspective is a reminder that every contribution matters and that there are many ways to support engineering learning, whether leading activities directly with visitors or preparing materials that make those connections possible.  

Outside of her regular volunteer work, one moment that especially stood out to her was participating in a community listening session. Hearing a wide range of perspectives and later seeing those ideas reflected in a museum exhibit made a lasting impression and demonstrated how community voices help shape the museum’s work. 

Becca has also seen firsthand how early exposure to engineering can influence young people’s futures. Through her role in human resources, she has met and hired adults who shared that visiting The Works Museum as children helped introduce them to engineering career pathways. Experiences like those reinforce her belief that hands-on learning can help kids imagine possibilities they may not otherwise be encouraged to explore. 

For Becca, volunteering is both meaningful and fun. She especially appreciates that there are flexible ways to get involved. “If you are a more introverted human, come join me on a Saturday,” she says, inviting others to experience the fun and satisfaction of contributing behind the scenes while still making an impact. 

One of Becca’s favorite spots in the museum is the Poem Wall, which she loves for the way it blends art, reflection, and STEM thinking. This interactive is a great example of how creativity and engineering can work together to inspire children in unexpected ways.  

Volunteering at The Works Museum has shown Becca just how much difference a small amount of time can make. She finds the experience very fulfilling and plans to continue volunteering for as long as she can. 

We are so grateful for Becca’s generosity, positivity, and commitment to helping make engineering possible for everyone. Her hard work enables students to build, tinker, and create – inspiring their career dreams in STEM. Thank you, Becca, for being such an important part of our community!