As part of a recent White House Science Fair, Americorps announced a major expansion of STEM AmeriCorps to spur student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math education.
A new summer program will place 256 AmeriCorps VISTA members in six Southern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and West Virginia) to connect 18,000 at-risk students in low-performing schools to STEM opportunities. Americorps is also joining with US2020 and Citizen Schools to support 25 AmeriCorps VISTA members serving in seven cities to increase STEM opportunities for girls, underrepresented minorities, and children from low-income families. This expansion builds on existing STEM AmeriCorps partnerships with FIRST, Maker Education Initiative, Citizen Schools, Teach for America, and other organizations.
Altogether, these efforts engage tens of thousands of students in STEM learning – building ladders of opportunity and helping our nation compete for the jobs and industries of the future.