VISION
STEM Generation has a vision of building a diverse pipeline of future STEM leaders. We believe that all students, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status, have the talent needed to succeed as STEM leaders and innovators. First, they need the opportunity to discover and develop that talent. By empowering students to develop their 21st Century Leadership Skills and STEM identities through high-quality STEM educational experiences, youth who identify as female, black, or brown, or who come from socioeconomically-disadvantaged communities, will be more prepared to enter the STEM workforce pipeline.
MISSION
STEM Generation is on a mission to close the gap in STEM learning opportunities and achievement and to change the image of what a STEM professional looks like.
CHALLENGE
More than 371,000[1]—or 40%—of Colorado Public School children qualify for the National Lunch Program (NLP), a poverty indicator. Data shows that children born into poverty will have had 6,000[2] fewer hours of learning, than their peers, by the time they reach 6th grade – the equivalent of nearly 5 ½ years of classroom learning. Additionally, by 3rd grade, students, particularly those who identify as female, begin to decide whether they are capable or incapable in STEM. This data shows that elementary school teachers have the greatest need for support and resources in STEM.
“These educational gaps impose on the United States the economic equivalent of a permanent national recession.” – McKinsey and Company
APPROACH
Equity is the cornerstone of STEM Generation’s programs. STEM Generation improves access to STEM learning opportunities in under-resourced areas and provides equitable opportunities for youth to grow within STEM. Through the donations STEM Generation makes to youth programming, youth are supported in exploring authentic STEM projects and are exposed to STEM professionals that cultivate youth engagement and inspiration.
STEM Generation supports school districts and classrooms with 50% or more Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) enrollment to ensure our target population is reached. We provide support to all of those who engage with students, including teachers, school personnel, and volunteer STEM professionals from the local community. To support educators and school personnel, STEM Generation strives to maintain evidence-based, developmentally appropriate curricula, aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Our programming includes professional development, lesson plans, student activities, resource libraries of professional STEM Stories, and more. STEM Generation offers scalable programming with minimal cost and can be used in a single classroom or throughout an entire school district.
STEM Generation partners with organizations, both corporate and non-profit, who share an alignment with our vision and mission to financially support our programming. We continuously seek partnership and sponsorship of organizations who are focused on lifting the voices and raising the skills of populations who have been overlooked, discounted, and historically marginalized.
OUR STORY
Read the Birth of STEM Generation, take a break to hear our podcast interview by Matt Sodnicar: Apple | Spotify, or multi-task and do both.
