Thanksgiving Point at SheTech Explorer Day: Inspiring Utah’s Future Innovators 

Thanksgiving Point’s Learning & Engagement team spent the day working directly with students, guiding them through interactive, hands-on STEM experiences designed to spark creativity and build confidence. 

Students experimented with stop-motion animation, creating short films frame by frame. They explored Merge Cubes, revealing immersive digital environments through iPads. These experiences weren’t just engaging — they helped students see technology as something they can shape, control, and create. 

That shift is powerful. When students actively engage with STEM, curiosity grows into confidence. 

Explorer Day also provided an opportunity to share more about the SheTech Internship Program at Thanksgiving Point — an experience designed to connect young women with real-world STEM careers. 

“As someone who has had the joy of working with SheTech for more than a decade, bringing this program to Thanksgiving Point has been incredibly meaningful,” said Melinda Pike, Chief Marketing Officer at Thanksgiving Point. “STEM careers are often misunderstood as being limited to coding or computer science, but STEM touches nearly every industry. Through this experience, girls explore careers in entomology, paleontology, exhibit design, data analytics, and beyond. They see firsthand that there are abundant STEM opportunities available right here in Utah. The program sparks curiosity, opens minds, and gives students the chance to build and create alongside mentors.” 

Through this partnership, interns gain hands-on experience across a wide range of STEM-focused fields, including agriculture technology, entomology, exhibit design, STEM education, outdoor education, wetland restoration, and more. 

Students work alongside mentors, contribute to meaningful projects, and build professional skills that extend far beyond the classroom. 

Thanksgiving Point CEO McKay Christensen also represented the organization during Explorer Day, sharing insight and encouragement with students. 

“When you are looking for your career, think about how you want to help people,” Christensen said. “It is far more fulfilling. Try new things. Take risks. That is how you discover what truly excites you.” 

His message reinforced a theme echoed throughout the event: confidence grows when students are given opportunities to explore, experiment, and engage. 

The day concluded with the SheTech TechChallenge, where mentors worked alongside students to tackle a real-world scenario. This year’s challenge invited teams to design an AI prototype capable of improving everyday life. 

Watching students collaborate, problem-solve, and confidently present their ideas was a powerful reminder of what happens when young women are given the space and support to explore STEM. 

As Thanksgiving Point mentor Tessa Devey reflected: 

“My experience as a mentor representing Thanksgiving Point at SheTech Explorer Day was inspiring. I was so impressed by the next generation of women and loved seeing their brilliant minds at work.”