This summer, Sandia National Laboratories volunteers will return to the classroom to ignite students' passion for STEM through the Hands-on Minds-on Technology Program, known as HMTech.
The program marks its 40th anniversary in 2026, but its roots date to the 1970s, when a small group of Sandia employees set out to expand access to STEM opportunities for local students who might not always see themselves well represented in science, technology, engineering and math fields.
"HMTech played a pivotal role in sparking my passion for STEM at an early age," said Sean Harris, a Sandia information technology and cybersecurity senior manager. "I was fortunate to have family involved with co-founding the program, and those hands-on experiences opened doors I hadn't even imagined."
HMTech is the longest-running education outreach program at Sandia.
"Now in its 40th year, HMTech continues to lay the foundation for future generations," Harris said. "I credit HMTech for helping shape my career."
Over three weekends in June, 120 students in sixth through 12th grades will learn STEM principles through sessions that include:
- Fun with algebra
- Introduction to aerospace, systems programming and mechanical engineering
- Robot design and programming
- Chat-to-agentic modeling - conforming AI to you
- Circuit playground
- Concepts of cybersecurity and programming
- Exploring the human body
- Discovering number theory
- Fermentation and carbon dioxide measurements
- Python arcade workshop
- STEM in the garden
- Understanding genetic code
Many of the volunteer instructors have backgrounds and experiences students can relate to.
"I volunteer for HMTech because I wish I'd been a student in this program," said Shaina Saint-Lot, a Sandia procurement manager and HMTech volunteer. "STEM is far more creative and exciting than I ever realized, and I don't want kids to miss that discovery - or carry the same 'what if' that I did."
"It's inspiring to see this program empower young students, especially those who might not often see themselves represented in STEM, to explore, learn and envision their own futures in science and technology," Harris said.
