Samsung Electronics America, Inc., partners with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to ensure Clubs provide youth a place to become tomorrow’s STEM leaders.
Since 2014, Samsung has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to deliver technology, customized curriculums and new learning spaces that enable youth to explore and learn about STEM. The partnership is also focused on building the collective expertise of youth development professionals providing STEM programming at Clubs nationwide. The collaboration with Samsung is aimed at helping Boys & Girls Clubs of America reach the goal of engaging 50 percent of members in STEM programming by 2020.
The partnership has supported the DIY STEM program within Boys & Girls Clubs, which brought STEM programming to 25 Clubs and STEM training to 150 Club professionals. The project-based program provides youth with opportunities for critical thinking and peer exchange, and is a key component of BGCA’s engineering pathway with modules including energy and electricity, engineering design, food chemistry, aeronautics and the science of sports.
Now, the partnership is deepening this impact by enabling Boys & Girls Clubs across the country to advance STEM initiatives within their organization through programs tailored for youth in their community. The partnership meets Clubs and kids where they are, at all skill, resource- and interest-levels, to introduce youth to STEM, teach foundational skills, provide exposure to career opportunities and ignite a life-long passion for STEM.
In 2019, Samsung will provide grants to 10 Boys & Girls Clubs to support their continued execution of STEM programming. This can include implementing the DIY STEM program or offering another STEM curriculum to members. These Club sites will also join BGCA’s national STEM learning community for Club professionals, with the goal of continuing to expand and elevate the impact of STEM programming at Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide. Youth development professionals at the 10 sites will participate in BGCA’s STEM facilitator cohort to encourage best-practice sharing and communication amongst program facilitators nationally.
Afterschool programs provide exposure to STEM activities and encourage participation in STEM-related career paths, particularly with youth who come from populations and communities that are underrepresented in STEM fields. They encourage participation through interesting, enjoyable activities that ignite interest and provide opportunities to try something new or practice what they’ve learned in school. Through project-based learning environments, they offer activities that relate to real-world experiences, which are needed in STEM careers or jobs in any industry. Afterschool STEM programs also provide kids a safe, supportive place where they can be creative, fail, and persevere, enabling the development of youth’s social and emotional skills as well, which are critical to future success.
As part of Boys & Girls Clubs STEM initiative, the partnership with Samsung has contributed to changing perceptions with Club youth:
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