The Future is Now: Two Groups Expand Access to STEM

By Kristen Flowers

Jobs in science, technology, engineering, math and manufacturing (STEM, sometimes called STEAM or STEM+Arts, depending on the organization) continue to rise across the county, including here in the Portland metro. However, a recent report by the Committee on STEM Education of the National Science and Technology Council found only 20% of high school graduates are prepared to take on STEM majors in college. The rigors of the coursework can feel especially intimidating or sometimes unrealistic to a student who has no background or support to pursue those fields.

But, when kids are given access to STEMrelated activities where they already spend their time, like school and in their local communities, it can be a huge head start for them. Add on a STEM mentor introduced to them at a young age, and new doors to the future are opened. Local organizations iUrban Teen and Airway Science for Kids

(ASK) are doing everything they can to get all students’ hands on the latest and greatest technology and tools for learning. They especially seek out teens from disadvantaged and systematically excluded backgrounds to give them a chance to compete in a highly sought-after and highly paid industry.

iUrban Teen

iUrban Teen is a nationally recognized program in Washington, Oregon, California and Texas that is working to bring what they call STEM+Arts careerbased education to underrepresented teens. Founder and chief innovator, Deena Pierott, created iUrban Teen in 2011 after seeing the need for more diversity in her field. She set off on a mission to help youth who have historically been excluded or discouraged from going into STEM careers. That year, she launched her first-ever event for iUrban Teen at WSUVancouver. The programs have since grown to provide hands-on programs and experiences to African American, Latino, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, female and special needs students. iUrban Teen has a three-pillared approach. The first step is called iEngage, a full-day hands-on experience with activities from industry professionals that spark students’ interest in STEM arenas. The next step is iLearn that includes 1-2-week camps, after-school and summer programs, and monthly STEM tours for youth, helping them dive into specific pathways such as engineering, advanced manufacturing and coding or cybersecurity. Students work together and with instructors/mentors to learn about STEM+Arts careers as well as strengthen communication, problem solving and leadership skills.

“We take field trips to places like Intel and Nike so they can see what engineers, continued on next page

UTMOST ATHLETICS is a non-profit strength training facility that provides group-based strength training services. Each session will train your entire body using free-weight exercises. Our coaches are well-equipped to teach and guide you as you complete the workout.

• General Fitness + Well-Being (Ages 13+)

• Fitness for Life (Older Adults)

• Sports Performance (All sport athletes ages 13+)

2 sessions/week: $80/month

3 sessions/week: $105/month www.utmostathletics.com utmostathletics@gmail.com

@utmost_athletics designers, technicians and other professionals do in the real world,” shares Erin Hamilton, iUrban Teen managing director for Oregon and SW Washington. “Not only does this benefit the students, but the company also.” Hamilton explains that companies who care about inclusion are always looking for ways to diversify their workforce. Exposing middle and high school students to careers in STEM will allow them to choose from a bigger pool of jobs in the future. Hamilton believes it’s all about preparation. “Many of the jobs of the future have yet to be invented, so we want to prepare our students for anything.”

The third and final step is iSucceed. Armed with passion, education and resilience, iUrban Teen students have opportunities to participate in internships and job shadowing opportunities and, with families, fill out FAFSA forms or learn about alternatives to college funding through scholarships. “Family participation is critical because they know their student’s strengths and interests best, and they are an important part of the student learning and understanding what career pathways, choices and postsecondary options are available,” explains Hamilton. iUrban Teen funds scholarships as well, having given out 22 last year to graduating seniors. Students also have access to post-secondary scholarships and continued support while in college through the iUniversity program. “We focus on long-term career pathways and support, not a one-and-done approach to learning or coursework.”

With grants, partnerships, foundations and private donations, all iUrban Teen programs are free in order to be inclusive and available to everyone. With an 86% retention rate, Hamilton says that even if a student was registered for an iUrban Teen event by a friend or family member, the odds are high that they will have fun, and discover something new about themselves, the STEM world and what possibilities await them to reach their dreams.

Airway Science for Kids

continued from previous page continued on page 14

Like iUrban Teen, Airway Science for Kids (ASK) looks to change the lives of Southwest Washington, Multnomah and Washington Counties’ youth of color and students who are living on low incomes by removing barriers to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) education and careers. Guillermo Rebolledo is the community engagement lead for ASK, and he believes that through their programming, ASK ignites a passion for the world of aerospace and aviation. This passion can launch a student toward an aviation or aerospace career. Before Rebolledo became a full-time staff member at ASK, he had been volunteering with them for eight months. He remembers walking into continued from page 13 the building and seeing the impressive equipment and tools that he never previously had the chance to experience himself. He now watches kids using those tools and sees their excitement when they successfully land a plane on the flight simulator for the first time.

During the pandemic, many pilots took early retirements as pilots were not in demand. Once people began taking more trips, airlines found themselves in need of pilots. They implemented many resources to increase their numbers such as pay and training opportunities. Rebolledo says, “Pilots are always in need, which also means that people working on planes are going to be in high demand. It is the same for people working at airports, so the world of aviation and aerospace will continue to grow which means we will continue to look for folks to go into those fields.”

ASK’s programs are for youth age 7-21 to explore the technology ASK has in their building such as flight simulators, drones and 3D printers. “Our dream would be to see more youth of color, more queer folks, more women in the world of aviation,” says Rebolledo. The programs are offered in various ways and in three different locations, through in-person, online and hybrid programs. In their Education Center on Pearson Field in Vancouver, they offer Open Saturday every Saturday from 10 am-3 pm, where families are invited to check out the space and engage in STEAM-related activities.

Other programs through ASK include the TakeFlight program where students at partnering schools use hands-on activities like making paper airplanes and parachutes to learn about ASK’s “badge topics”: aeronautics, commercial space travel, living in the solar system, drones and robotics. ASK staff hope to spark an interest in aviation and aerospace in younger kids who may continue to explore those interests through other ASK programs. ASK also provides curriculum and training to partner schools in aerospace and aviation that they can use independently. These partnerships allow ASK to benefit from their programs.

In the TeenFlight program, students exercise their team-building skills and work with mentors to build a two-seat RV-12 aircraft. Students who want to participate in TeenFlight need to make a significant commitment, coming to ASK’s Hillsboro location every Saturday during the school year for two years. During these 6-hour Saturdays, they get a hands-on technical and interpersonal experience while learning the ins and outs of airplanes.

The Aerospace College and Career Exploration and Selection System (ACCESS) is a program for teens and young adults between the ages of 14-21. In ACCESS, students are introduced to the same essential topics as TeenFlight. It’s a 10-hour self-guided program comprising eight weekly in-person and virtual meetings where they can connect with industry professionals. There is also a weekly 30-minute check-in with a student success coordinator to ensure the student has everything they need to succeed.

If teens want to dip their toes into the aviation world before committing, ASK also offers after-school programs and summer camps. “For us, it’s super important to talk to these students about the possibilities in aviation,” explains Rebolledo. “Whether it’s talking about internships, or higher education, or just offering a program where you can discover six different topics continued from previous page around aviation and aerospace.” The programs allow students to identify career and education goals and staff will be there to support them to achieve those goals.

Rebolledo understands that only some of the kids will be going into the field, but at least they have the chance to learn and play in the space instead of never knowing it existed. “We just want kids to come in, be themselves while they are learning,” he says.

The future looks bright for Washington’s kids, technically speaking.

Kristen Flowers hosts the morning show, Nick and Kristen in the Morning on 99.5 The Wolf. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, daughter and two cats. She loves crafting, making pottery, eating ice cream, reading and watching documentaries. She’s also currently in graduate school to become a marriage and family therapist.

ByNikkiKlock