FACES OF CHANGE

STEM Outreach Initiative Earns Freshman a Young Heroes Award

Civil Engineering freshman Brianna Davis wasn’t looking for recognition when she launched her “STEAM for All” initiative, but it came to her just the same. In September, she received a Young Heroes Award during the National Liberty Museum’s TD Bank Young Heroes Awards virtual ceremony. Brianna was one of 14 recipients from 11 sites across the nation, including seven from the Philadelphia area.

Recalling a fellow Girl Scout troop member with special needs who hadn’t had much exposure to STEAM topics in the classroom, Brianna launched “STEAM for All” as a Girl Scout project to interest children of varying learning abilities in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. The 80-hour service project allowed her to research and plan activities that anyone can do with everyday items. With positive feedback from participants, she was motivated to put her lessons online, providing teachers with access to step-by-step instructions and other resources. School of the Future, the Philadelphia-based high school that Brianna’s fellow troop member attends, is expected to begin implementing STEAM lessons as a result.

“STEAM for All is really about inclusivity,” says Brianna. “I’m hoping I can continue to inspire kids in these fields for the rest of my life.”