STEM careers have quickly become the new ticket to accessing the middle class. The Department of Labor reports that not only will there be more jobs over the next decade in STEM fields than non-STEM areas, but workers in STEM occupations earn 26% more than their counterparts in non-STEM fields. However, racial and socioeconomic disparities in education deny many American children of color an opportunity to reap the financial promise and social advancement benefits of a STEM education. A study by the National Student Clearinghouse revealed that students who attend low income, urban schools with high minority populations are earning college degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math at far lower rates than peers from higher income, low-minority schools in big cities and suburbs. Simply put, an overwhelming number of Black and Latino students are not being prepared to effectively compete and succeed in the economy of tomorrow.

We, at Youth Stand Academy know that our students have the potential and intellectual curiosity needed to thrive in STEM Education. What they lack is access to equitable learning opportunities and proper resources. In fact, one of the biggest issues in education is that teachers lack the content knowledge needed to teach STEM areas effectively. With the help of caring and generous supporters such as yourself we can raise the funds needed to train our after school professionals in the proper delivery and instruction of 3D Design and Print in the classroom. The funds will also cover the cost to enter our students into a citywide 3D Design competition and allow us to purchase top of line curricula and print materials.

3D Design not only improves spatial reasoning, problem solving, and collaboration skills, but also, increases creativity and provides unprecedented opportunities to explore various disciplines in ways previously inaccessible in the classroom environment. Imagine our little engineers having the capabilities to print out the prototypes they dream up or our future graphic designers printing out 3D versions of their artwork or bringing history to life by printing out historical artifacts for examination or bringing geography to life with 3D topographical representations or helping our aspiring doctors learn biology using 3D models of cells, viruses, and organs. The possibilities are infinite, but the dollars needed to make this dream a reality are FINITE! We only need $2,000.00 to help the students of ENYFA’s Youth Stand Academy help close the achievement gap in STEM. Please support the ENYFA Dreamwalkers as we walk to support our dream of educational opportunity for every child!

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