Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is an term used to talk about related tech disciplines and is used to frame educational curriculum. Taking a STEM class in school is one thing, but sparking the interest in STEM of a child or inspiring them is another.
Because we can be a very literal group sometimes, let's be clear that this is adult humor in play.
In reality, this approach rarely if ever works with a child. Because children inherently trust adults, statements like these to a child can be very effective in crushing their spirit and curiosity, but they rarely inspire them to prove you wrong. This might change when they become teenagers, but unlikely given that the societal culture of their generation doesn't place the same value on succeeding against the odds as Gen Xers, Boomers and earlier generations did.
