SHEILA VARGAS, community relations manager for Fidelity Investments, is excited about a new computer game. But it's not just any computer game. "Pancake Empire Tower Tycoon," a game created by Fidelity and available on Roblox, is intended to help children and teens learn to "save, spend and invest while having fun," according to Vargas.

Fidelity will once again be part of the upcoming Wicked STEM, Northern New England STEM Expo, showcasing the "M" in "STEM": Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Representatives from the financial giant will demonstrate "Pancake Empire" and other tools to children and their adults, in order to help everyone become a little more financially savvy.

According to Vargas, the company has been interested in outreach since its founding in 1946. "As a company, we are deeply invested in the next generation of community," she said. She works out of the Merrimack office, and her focus is the Manchester/Nashua area, "the largest population and where we may have the largest impact." However, she added, Fidelity has programs all around the state.

May is Fidelity's "Month of Service," and she was heartened to see more than 100 participants volunteer in the Manchester/Nashua area. They joined 3,000 associates from around the country, she said. Local projects included assembling 50,000 meals for those suffering from food insecurity for the NH Food Bank and the Nashua Soup Kitchen, and also beautifying area Boys and Girls Clubs.

But teaching people about their money is still Fidelity's objective, Vargas said, noting that 200 associates are trained in the "Champions" financial education program. "This is one of our programs with the highest impact," she said.

In partnership with the "Gear Up, New Hampshire!" program, Fidelity has entered classrooms in Manchester to talk about financial literacy. "We hold interactive workshops," she said. "We don't give advice, we talk about financial decisions they may face in life." New Hampshire is one of 26 states that has a "financial literacy" mandate for graduation, and Fidelity can help provide the basics, she said.

The company also has a program where they bring students into the Merrimack office. In July alone, they hosted the Manchester Boys and Girls Club, Girls INC., and the Granite YMCA, according to Vargas. "We talk about financial empowerment and career readiness," she said. Also in July, 350-plus Fidelity associates assembled more than 4,000 STEM Kits to support the SEE Science Center in Manchester.

While Fidelity is interested in helping every gender and every age group, they have a focus on women. "Women Talk Money: Teen Girl Learning Series" is a free digital learning series launched this past April. "Women Talk Money" is a community and forum for discussions about money, investing, careers and other topics. A new website offering support to women was launched last year. And Fidelity offers free one-on-one consultations with financial professionals on the unique money factors women face.

Fidelity will participate in Wicked STEM for its third year, Vargas said. They welcome the opportunity. "It gives us a chance to speak and interact with young adults, with their family members," she said.

"It's tying tech with our overall goal since our founding in 1946," Vargas said.

The Wicked STEM Expo, sponsored by the New Hampshire Union Leader, will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hampshire Dome in Milford. For more information, visit wickedstem.com.