STEMout: Making Fun Science Accessible
By 2022, the U.S. Department of Education projects that STEM job markets will experience an increase of over nine million new jobs, an average expansion rate greater than that of any other occupational average. However, this expansion may exacerbate an already existing problem: the lack of racial and gender diversity facing many STEM fields. One way to combat this is to make STEM education fun and accessible for all students, and Northeastern University’s group STEMout is working to achieve just that.
A volunteer outreach arm for the Center for STEM Education, STEMout unites different students, organizations, and community partners to bring exciting programs to students in the Boston area. From solar panels to robots, these young students are exposed to a wide range of activities that spark an interest and appreciation for STEM. STEMout President Nathalie Leger (’21 COE) described the fulfillment of seeing these students become increasingly more passionate with each activity. Laughing, she claimed that, “without a doubt, every student’s favorite program is paper rockets.”
Their largest and most established outreach program is at the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, where elementary students arrive every Saturday for STEMout volunteers to begin their activity. Orianna Kane (’21 COE), STEMout secretary and committed volunteer, speaks highly of this collaboration: “I’d like to think that this program keeps the love of STEM alive in kids from different cultures, age groups, and genders. I’m always in awe of what the kids can teach me.” Though their main goal is to enrich these students’ minds and opportunities, the program is clearly mutually beneficial due to the relationships formed between volunteers and the students they serve weekly.
Formed only in 2016, STEMout is always looking for more volunteers from a broad range of STEM majors to help expand their efforts. Aside from the gratification that comes from working with K-8 students, STEMout is also a great resume builder because of its leadership opportunities. In addition to their A- and E-board positions, they also offer Lead Volunteer positions that require 10 hours of volunteering per academic year, among other requirements. They also accept one-time volunteers for Friday field trips on Northeastern’s campus.
Interested in getting involved? Learn more from their website, email them at neustemout@gmail.com, or attend a regular meeting on Tuesday at 6:30pm in 153 Snell Engineering.
