Approach

 

The STEM GLOBAL ACTION APPROACH

Our Story

Data Center

Our Model

Our community engagement model prioritizes young people, their families, and the community above all else.

We serve as a trusted partner to families and communities, bringing them high quality STEM programming and helping them navigate the STEM ecosystem.

In doing so, we shift the way students approach and engage with STEM, and we shift the way that STEM institutions engage with students.

What Makes Us Different

Through our model, we increase STEM literacy, exposure, engagement, and access to opportunities for all

Hands-On Activities

Our hands-on activities are engaging, challenging, and tailored to the age, grade, and skill level of participants. When kids and their families build a
model with their own hands and understand the science behind it, that’s when the inspiration takes root.

Connecting STEM Partners to the Community

Many cities have STEM resources, but they are disconnected from the community. We serve as the connective tissue in an ecosystem, centering children and their families and bringing STEM resources to the community.

Early & Expansive STEM Engagement

Students who never enter the traditional “STEM Pipeline” are often locked out of careers in the field. We bring kids into STEM at the earliest stages of child development, broadening opportunities at all ages so that no child is left out.

Intergenerational Learning

Our learning environments are child centered, adult governed, and elder ruled. This means our participants are learning from and bonding with mentors of all ages, including educators, college students and STEM professionals.

Cultural Relevance

We create authentic connections between the classroom and the “real world.” By rooting our content in the experiences and environment of our
participants, STEM comes to life through their everyday lives.

Universal Access

We are committed to reaching and serving students, families, and communities who have traditionally experienced barriers to STEM education, and putting and amplifying their voices at the center of our work.

Scaling Through Existing Networks

Our network launched in New Orleans but has scaled to include sites and affiliates across the Gulf South and across the country. This growth has been organic, fueled by outreach from interested cities.

Moving forward, we plan to scale by building partnerships existing corporate and volunteer networks that operate in multiple sites, to strengthen what already exists, leverage existing coordination practices, and build strong relationships with organizations that share our dedication to the work.

There are three potential partners for the network scaling model:

Corporate
Network

Non-Profit
Network

Government
Agencies

Building Local Capacity: Funding & Operational Models

Initially, we help sites launch in new cities by leveraging large funders and our centralized onboarding team.
Over time, these sites will build up a sustainable local base of capacity and funding infrastructure, often accessing
previously untapped resources that help strengthen the entire STEM ecosystem of the city.

Who We Impact

Kids & Families

  • We center kids & families in our programming, while also providing benefits to the partners who help bring our programming to life.

STEM Employers

  • Opportunity to support community
  • Brand enhancement
  • Corporate Social Responsibility in action
  • Long-term workforce development
  • Connection to STEM college interns
  • Connection to K12 STEM students

Professional Volunteers

  • Connection to other STEM professionals
  • Opportunities to give back and engage civically
  • Connection with community
  • Engagement with other children and families
  • Experience of joy and hope

College Interns & Volunteers

  • Exposure to community
  • Training
  • Mentoring & real word experience
  • Civic engagement
  • Connection to employers
  • Paid internship experience in STEM

Types of Learning

Rooted in Non-Formal Learning, we embed our principles in offerings across the spectrum and serve as a connection and inspiration point for young people to pursue related formal and informal learning opportunities.

Formal Learning

Teacher-led instruction in schools and institutions, typically sequential and focused on certification & degrees

Our Direct Programming:

  • Versioning & Delivering Our Curriculum & Kits in Schools

Our Catalyzed Impact:

  • Providing Young People the Exposure to Select Into Educational Pathways

Non-Formal Learning

Non-sequential teacher or guide-led learning spanning a variety of educational methods, typically focused on learner participation

Our Core Programming:

  • STEM Saturdays
  • STEM Fests
  • STEM Nights
  • STEM Camps

Our Catalyzed Impact:

  • Connecting Young People to other Non-Formal Learning Opportunities in the Community

Informal Learning

Unstructured and spontaneous, learner-led exploration occurring in daily life and a variety of environments

Our Direct Programming:

  • Creating At-Home STEM Kits for Self-Directed Learning

Our Catalyzed Impact:

  • Sparking within Young People a Passion for Self-Directed Learning
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