Algebra, geometry, earth science, physics--these require patience and perseverance to master. That kind of academic stamina is hard to advertise to kids nurtured on the instant engagement and gratification of modern digital technology. And there's little hope they'll be sustained by an intrinsic interest in math and science; they have to be shown how they can apply the material to their own lives. This is leading educators away from textbooks to search for teaching solutions that use real-world, interactive scenarios to engage students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning. In this article, the author takes a look at how several educators use authentic scenarios to spark student interest in math and science.