What's Happening?
STEM ALLIANCE LAUNCH PROJECT STEM XPLOR
There is an exciting new project intended to bridge the divide between under-resourced students and the burgeoning opportunities in Tech Valley. The project is called STEM Xplor, a website application where, for the first time, teachers, students and parents will be able to search for STEM-related afterschool, weekend and summer learning programs in the Capital Region.
STEM Xplor is a partnership between the The Schenectady Foundation, the Schenectady STEM Alliance and Albany Can Code (ACC), and will employ graduates of ACC’s college-level web development classes to create a great learning experience -- delivering a professional level product at a fraction of the market cost. The project is being designed with the engagement of the users – teachers and students – to ensure that the product meets their needs.
Why STEM Xplor? We see a strong passion for science among Schenectady students, and a dedicated core of teachers ready to go above and beyond to get their kids connected and on the right track. A recent STEM Alliance event at Proctors Theater brought out 100 students and their teachers to meet scientists from GE, Global Foundries, Clarkson University and Union College, among others. But teachers shared with us a common story: requests for information by interested students send teachers on a wild goose chase through old email bulletins and dozens of websites. They’re already strapped for time. If there was an easy place to look, teachers could feed many more students into local programs students wouldn’t find out about otherwise.
We need to be smarter about how we go about connecting our kids to STEM careers. The STEM Xplor project will seed a new way to make STEM opportunities transparent and accessible.
To go forward with this project the Foundation must raise $10,000 to complete and launch the STEM searchable database. Please consider supporting STEM Xplor by making a charitable contribution today! You may use the PDF version of the pledge form to make your commitment to the project. DONATE ONLINE, or you may make a donation online today. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity we’ll be happy to set up a time to meet with you to make a presentation.
We need your help!
Our goal is to raise $10,000 from local companies, philanthropists and community members to launch STEM Xplor.
Become a Sponsor!
$2,500 HELIUM SPONSORS
$1,000 NEON SPONSORS
$500 ARGON SPONSORS
Sponsors will be featured on the STEM Xplor and STEM Alliance websites, and in all press about the project.
