This month, BGCA’s Do-It-Yourself (DIY) STEM program, created in partnership with Time Warner Cable (TWC), was recognized with two national awards: the Cynopsis Social Good Award and the PR News CSR Award in the “Nonprofit/Corporate Partnership” category! This competitive recognition underscores tremendous work being done in Clubs to inspire youth in STEM fields, a focus area that is critical to prepare young people for great futures.
U.S. STEM jobs expected to grow nearly twice as fast as other fields by 2018. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of both interested and adequately prepared K-12 students in STEM subjects, especially among young women and minority youth.
In 2014, BGCA and TWC partnered to address America’s declining STEM proficiency with the launch of the DIY STEM program for Clubs around the country. Research shows that out-of-school programs, like those offered at Boys & Girls Clubs, are an effective way to stimulate interest in STEM-related careers.
DIY STEM engages youth ages 10 to 18 in the “science of every day.” Initially, it included three thematic units: energy and electricity, engineering design, and food chemistry. This year, the program -now called DIY STEM 2.0- expanded to include two new units: introductory aeronautics and introductory robotics. The program culminates with DIY Family Night, providing family members, Club staff and community stakeholders the opportunity to view Club members’ DIY STEM projects.
Eddie and Jayda with Bill Nye The Science Guy at the White House Science Fair.DIY Science participants Eddie and Jayda are from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Paterson, N.J., and The Children’s Aid Society Boys & Girls Club in New York City, respectively. Both participated in the White House Science Fair and got to meet President Obama at the White House! The middle-schoolers were inspired by hands-on activities their Clubs offered, part of the program’s discovery-driven approach that celebrates curiosity and makes learning fun.
By participating in the White House Science Fair, Eddie and Jayda saw first-hand how hard work in STEM can pay off. Eddie now has plans to attend college and further his science education, while Jayda plans to become a pediatrician.
Kimberly Boyd is BGCA's Nat'l. V.P. of Program, Training & Youth Development Services.
Eddie and Jayda are just two success stories out of thousands of kids who benefit from DIY STEM and our other STEM programs. Since 2008, over 850,000 kids have engaged in STEM activities at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. To learn more and download our award-winning DIY STEM curriculum, visit GreatFutures.org.
U.S. STEM jobs expected to grow nearly twice as fast as other fields by 2018. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of both interested and adequately prepared K-12 students in STEM subjects, especially among young women and minority youth.
In 2014, BGCA and TWC partnered to address America’s declining STEM proficiency with the launch of the DIY STEM program for Clubs around the country. Research shows that out-of-school programs, like those offered at Boys & Girls Clubs, are an effective way to stimulate interest in STEM-related careers.
DIY STEM engages youth ages 10 to 18 in the “science of every day.” Initially, it included three thematic units: energy and electricity, engineering design, and food chemistry. This year, the program -now called DIY STEM 2.0- expanded to include two new units: introductory aeronautics and introductory robotics. The program culminates with DIY Family Night, providing family members, Club staff and community stakeholders the opportunity to view Club members’ DIY STEM projects.
Eddie and Jayda with Bill Nye The Science Guy at the White House Science Fair.By participating in the White House Science Fair, Eddie and Jayda saw first-hand how hard work in STEM can pay off. Eddie now has plans to attend college and further his science education, while Jayda plans to become a pediatrician.
Kimberly Boyd is BGCA's Nat'l. V.P. of Program, Training & Youth Development Services.