Impact
The Science Kit aims to excite the next generation of innovators about what’s to come and what STEM holds. We are aware of the disproportionate underrepresentation of certain backgrounds in STEM, especially historically marginalized groups such as BIPOC and women. For example, women make up 47% of the total workforce but only occupy 24% of STEM jobs. Furthermore, the current COVID-19 pandemic restricts students’ access to hands-on activities that would normally take place at school. We aspire to create meaningful experiences for young thinkers with the intent of demonstrating that there is a place for everyone in STEM.
The Science Kit is an organization that puts together science kits for younger students (ages 6 to 11) in the Bay Area who have backgrounds disproportionately underrepresented in the STEM field. Each kit will include:
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materials for two experiments
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letters from older members of underrepresented groups currently pursuing a career in STEM
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other resources linked to this website
We hope that these kits will inspire and encourage students to feel less intimidated by STEM and perhaps even decide to pursue a career in STEM.
We launched our first round of kits in the summer of 2021 and were able to provide 20 students with kits. This would not have been possible without your support.
The Science Kit currently needs more funding in order to send out the second round of kits. We hope you support us in empowering the next generation of thinkers, creators, and doers.
women make up 47% of the total workforce but only occupy 24% of STEM jobs
Short Term Goals
The Science Kit has already developed six experiments for our second round of kits. We are also in the process of reaching out to older members of underrepresented groups and determining which students will receive these kits. We plan on creating 48 kits that will be sent to 16 students over the span of three months (June - Aug 2021). Currently, we need to secure funding for this project.
Long Term Goals
After the first round of kits, we plan on conducting a feedback survey in order to gauge satisfaction and ways to improve. We will thoroughly review feedback and assess the efficacy of The Science Kit. If possible, we will continue developing more rounds of kits that will be sent out to a different group of students who also have backgrounds disproportionately represented in the STEM field.