We put together a STEM bucket list so that this time next year, you won’t have any regrets.

January: Contact and Befriend 3 STEM Connections
Start off the year on a positive note by making connections (and even friendships) that you can foster over the next year. The key to crossing this off of your bucket list? Don’t lose touch! You’d be surprised by how many established professionals are willing to help out young, interested students – especially when those students show ambition.

February: Attend a Hackathon
In honor of San Francisco’s DeveloperWeek (props if you can make it there!!), attend a hackathon. Can’t find one? Host a mini event with your friends. Sure, the payoff won’t be the same, but you’ll get some practice!

March: Follow Scott Kelly Into Space
Not physically, but following this story is a must for 2015. One twin goes into space for a year, the other stays on Earth; NASA will study the differences between them to further understand humans and space travel.

April: 3D Print Something
2014 felt like the year of the 3D printer; duh, because they’re amazing. But here’s what that means for 2015: 3D printers are way more accessible for the average Joe. So it’s imperative for your list.

May: Read A Brief History of Time
Stephen Hawking isn’t just a popular science figure anymore; between the mainstream support of ALS patients and the new major movie, The Theory of Everything, 2014 made Hawking a bona fide celebrity. Get back to his roots this spring by reading the book that started it all – literally (big bang, get it?!).

June: Visit a STEM Lab
Find a professional lab with the scientific focus of your choosing. Visit in June and explore the possibility of a summer job, internship, or volunteer opportunity to develop your skills.

July: Tour a Building
Whether a building is historically significant, architecturally important, or impressively green, it is a great resource for understanding engineering. Even if you don’t realize it, you may live near a building that offers tours because of what it inherently is – a building.

August: Get Inspired by TED Talks
Be excited when school starts again by thoroughly investigating the power of knowledge. TED Talks are famous for their inspirational and informative lectures, so use your free time – while you have it – to use this awesome resource.

September: Visit Your Favorite College Campus
Even if it is farther than you think you can possibly reach. Check visiting your favorite STEM program off of your list and then, if you’re at that age, APPLY. Because you never know – and maybe that visit will make you work extra hard to get there.

October: Create a LinkedIn Profile
Get a head start by making a descriptive and professional LinkedIn account. Plus, the site has more to offer than just professional networking; explore possible colleges on their university pages.

November: Shadow a Professional
Really delve into the career path that you’re interested in by visiting a business and shadowing someone who works there. Maybe you’ve developed a relationship from January enough to ask this favor – set something up to utilize the few days of break you’ll have!

December: See the Northern Lights in Alaska
OK. This one’s a biggie. I know. But seeing the Aurora Borealis should be on everyone’s LIFE bucket list, so why not 2015’s? Geomagnetic storms bring the aurora to lower latitudes so that we can see them clearly from Earth, and visiting in the winter is best to avoid the constant light of Alaska’s summer. But, honestly, I can’t imagine anyone is thinking of the science the first time they see those lights.