Volunteer Appreciation Week: Sterling Berg
Sterling Berg (right)
During Volunteer Appreciation Week, we are proud to recognize the volunteers who help make engineering feel welcoming, creative, and accessible to every visitor at The Works Museum. One of those volunteers is Sterling Berg, whose professional experience in engineering stemmed from his early fascination with robots and hands-on learning.
Sterling is an electrical engineer at Collins Aerospace, where he designs circuit boards for prototype air data sensors. He is also a co-founder of a precision agriculture startup called E Tracks, where he works on robotics systems that help farmers collect soil samples and use fertilizer more efficiently. In that role, he works on software, electronics, and 3D printed part design, helping drive efficiency and sustainability in farming. His career reflects the wide range of possibilities within engineering and the creativity involved in bringing ideas to life.
Sterling first connected with The Works Museum after seeing a volunteer opportunity shared through his workplace. A Family Engineering Night happened to be within walking distance of his apartment, so he decided to give it a try. With previous experience as a Camp Invention counselor in his hometown, he was already familiar with supporting hands-on learning programs. After volunteering once, he quickly connected with the museum’s approach to STEM outreach and decided to stay involved.
Sterling’s interest in engineering began early. As a kid, he was fascinated by the robots and technology in Star Wars, which felt rugged and realistic. His parents encouraged that curiosity by giving him build-your-own robot kits, and he spent plenty of time taking things apart and experimenting with how they worked. Those early experiences helped shape his path toward engineering.
Growing up in a small town, Sterling had fewer STEM opportunities than many students have today. While he participated in activities like science competitions and academic teams, robotics clubs and maker-style programs were not widely available. Still, supportive adults made a big difference. A local hardware store owner supported his projects by offering discounted supplies, on the condition that Sterling return and share what he was building. Sterling's (middle/high) school science teacher also created an independent study session to help him and other students explore STEM projects more deeply. These experiences helped him continue developing his interests despite fewer community resources in his small town.
Sterling’s background is part of what motivates him to volunteer today. He believes spaces like The Works Museum give kids valuable time and space to experiment, problem solve, and build confidence through hands-on exploration.
Sterling also sees practicing an engineering skillset as something that benefits everyone, whether or not they choose a STEM career. Building things and working through challenges helps kids develop creativity and persistence, skills that apply in any path they choose. He appreciates that the museum creates opportunities for young learners to try, make mistakes, and keep experimenting until they achieve their goals.
Volunteers like Sterling help bring STEM learning to life, ensuring kids have the hands-on experience that builds curiosity and confidence. We are grateful for his time, insight, and enthusiasm for supporting STEM learning!
Thank you, Sterling, for helping to inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers, and creative problem solvers.
