St. Kate’s participates in second annual Minnesota United STEM Day -

Friday, July 24, 2026

Faculty and students, including members of the soccer team, led activities joining science and sport for youth.

Wildcat soccer team members pose in front of Allianz Field with the loon mascot.

Photos courtesy of St. Catherine University Athletics

Students gather around an instructor at the MN United STEM clinic.

Wildcat soccer players wearing purple T-shirts pose together at the MN United STEM clinic.

Kids run drills through a ladder during the STEM clinic.

The MN United loon mascot poses with the St. Kate's wildcat mascot (Katie Cat).

Wildcat soccer players stand in a circle on a soccer field during the STEM clinic.

On Wednesday, July 15, St. Catherine University partnered with Minnesota United FC and Athletes Committed to Educating Students (ACES) for the second annual Minnesota United STEM Day, held at Allianz Field in St. Paul. Members of the Wildcat soccer team as well as students and faculty from occupational therapy, physical therapy, exercise and sport science, and biology represented St. Kate’s at the event.

During the two-and-a-half-hour clinic, nearly 100 youth participated in hands-on activities connecting science, math, health, and soccer. St. Kate’s faculty and students developed and led interactive stations focused on athletic training, performance and rehabilitation; neuroscience and motor learning; and occupational therapy concepts involving perception, balance, movement, and the senses.

Katie Cat and Minnesota United mascot PK joined the activities, along with members of the St. Kate’s soccer team. Minnesota United coaching staff led a soccer clinic on the Great Lawn, with St. Kate’s soccer players helping facilitate activities and engaging with participants.

“Seeing young students get excited about STEM through soccer was such a meaningful experience,” said St. Kate’s soccer captain Bella Meier ’26. “As a collegiate soccer player pursuing a degree in neuroscience, it reminded me that I do not have to choose between athletics and academics, because both have played an important role in my journey. I hope the students left inspired to stay curious, work hard, and believe they can succeed both in the classroom and on the field!”

Participants received workbooks featuring lessons created by St. Kate’s faculty, along with take-home activities and items from St. Kate’s, Minnesota United, and Xcel Energy.

The event brought together faculty and students from across St. Kate’s academic programs, with support from the University’s athletics department and the Office of Scholarly Engagement.