According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) occupations are growing at 17 percent while other occupations are growing at 9.8 percent. As a result, VBCPS teachers are introducing more and more STEM education to their students. For Thoroughgood Elementary School’s third grade teacher Cara Cupka, STEM education is second nature as she left a career in a STEM-related field to teach and inspire a future generation of engineers and technicians.