With attention-getting projects ranging from art robots and zipline carts to UV houses and zoetropes, local students have founded and operate a now nationwide nonprofit organization bringing hands-on STEM workshops to elementary schools and education centers.
STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — is the focus of student-led workshops with the goal of developing problem-solving abilities, critical thinking and design skills through engaging projects.
This past month alone, San Gabriel-based STEMsters reached 9,000 children across more than 150 chapters in 25 states, said Danna Rivera, 16, a STEMster who attends Baldwin Park High School.
“Teenagers building a nationwide education nonprofit from scratch while still in high school is not something you see every day,” she aptly observed.
The organizations website reports more than 38,000 students reached via STEMsters’ workshops, which to date total more than 3,800.
Workshops by STEMsters high school students in elementary classrooms kick off with a quick intro, then devote most of the time to actually build, experiment and collaborate.
The organization has provided a wide variety of projects since starting in 2023, including astronomy, physics, hydrology, geology, chemistry, computer coding, engineering, robotics and genetics.
“Teaching students in STEMsters is truly a rewarding and enjoyable experience for me!” exclaimed Mandy Guan, a senior at South Hills High School in West Covina. “At our lessons, I have the opportunity to work with so many different students and watch how each one approaches the concepts we teach uniquely. Not only have I seen these individuals’ passions for STEM ignite early on, but my experiences have strengthened my adaptability, patience, and leadership skills.”
Andy Wu, an 11th grader at Walnut High School, said teaching through STEMsters has enabled him to share his passion for science and engineering while helping younger students further their own creativity.
“Through this experience, I have developed stronger leadership and communication skills, while the students have gained greater enthusiasm for exploring STEM,” he said.
STEMster projects projects emphasize teamwork and encourage young students to share ideas and communicate, according to the organization’s website. The goal is to create a supportive environment that enables understanding and discovering innovative solutions.
“One thing I enjoy most about teaching kids hands-on stem is seeing all the children collaborating and working together towards a shared goal,” said Priscilla To, who’s in the 10th grade at Temple City High School. “When I first volunteered at Amax Academy I noticed that the kids were only working and talking with the people they know. But during and after the activity, I noticed that the kids started to open up more to each other and hang out more.”
Emily Zhao, a senior at Glen A. Wilson High School in Hacienda Heights, said one of her favorite lessons was a “geared car activity, where the kids had so much fun racing their creations. I also believe teaching is one of the best ways to learn, making each session rewarding for both the students and me.”
Quite a few Southern California high schools have STEMsters chapters, including in Arcadia, La Cañada-Flintridge, La Verne, Rosemead, San Gabriel and many more.
Far beyond SoCal, STEMsters from outside the region also spoke about their work with the education nonprofit.
“Volunteering for STEMsters is a great opportunity for high schoolers,” said Zachary Lee, a senior at Alameda High School in the San Francisco Bay area. “For myself, I’ve been able to foster connections with our future generation, while also providing low-income students with STEM lessons they might not experience at school. Additionally, I’ve learned how important teamwork is with fellow peers to assist large groups of 20-30 students to ensure their learning sticks with them.“
Rihaan Gupta, a senior at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois, said he also enjoys the experience of volunteering with the organization.
“Not only do I gain from seeing the kids grow, but it allows me to view projects from a different perspective, enabling me to grow as well,” he said.
Fore information on STEMsters and their projects, visit stemsters.org.