Positive experiences are crucial to student learning as well as in deciding what career to pursue. U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) studies have shown that by the time students enter high school, 80% are not interested in pursuing science, mathematics, or engineering. Moreover, students without a sufficient background in mathematics and science by the sixth grade will be unable to take advantage of necessary high school classes for college preparation in technological areas. If students have positive experiences earlier, these experiences will be of greater benefit to them in learning and in making important life decisions.