The construction industry--which increasingly relies on rapidly evolving technologies related to Artificial Intelligence and building information modeling--remains vital to economic development across the United States. Although this industry accounts for a significant proportion of the Gross Domestic Product, there are few empirically-based approaches that foster pathways to high-demand, lucrative construction careers among K-12 learners. To address this issue, this conference will bring together construction industry members, K-12 educators, educational researchers, extension specialists, and instructional designers to identify promising approaches and trajectories for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning that builds youths' awareness of, interest in, and competencies related to construction careers of the future. This conference will focus on rural regions, given the need for continued infrastructural and economic development in these regions, and given the unique educational circumstances faced by many rural schools. Conference participants will use cutting-edge technologies while engaging in STEM practices on construction sites, in addition to participating in interactive and vision-setting conference sessions. They will discuss innovative and effective strategies for supporting K-12 youth in using emerging and evolving technologies, as embedded within STEM practices, in preparation for construction careers. Syntheses from the conference dis