> it doesn't translate to engineering careers

From one teacher to another, I'm sorry what?

If teaching kids how build things doesn't encourage them to become engineers, what does?

If you're taking about attention grabbing Youtuber-engineers, I think that is very different than the makerspace movement that gives people access to CNC machines/3D printers/welders without a person needing to personally own a CNC machine/3D printer/welder.

All of the greatest engineers I know spent their childhood playing with legos, hot glue, solding irons, and hobby rocket kits.