STEMworks

STEM Curiosity Lab

Impact

The STEM Leadership Academy will reach over 375 students each year. * This past academic year 43% were female and 57% were male. 53% of students are Hispanic, 44% White and 3% other. Evaluation results show: 35% average increase in content knowledge from pre to post test scores. 100% of students showed a positive increase in their attitudes towards STEM subjects. 96% of students participating in the STEM Leadership Academy said they would return the following year.

  • Target Audience
    • All Students
  • Program Type
    • Informal/Out of School
  • Location
    • Colorado
  • Grade Level
    • 6
    • 7
    • 8

Contact

Gina Van Hekken
Director of Grants & Strategic Initiative

Email ProgramLaunch Website

Accomplished Program has been evaluated and meets the Design Principles for quality.

  • Need Accomplished
  • Evaluation Accomplished
  • Sustainability Developing
  • Replication & Scalability Developing
  • Partnerships Developing
  • Capacity Accomplished
  • Challenging & Relevant Content Accomplished
  • STEM Practices Accomplished
  • Inspiration Accomplished
  • Under-Represented Groups Accomplished

See full results

I was never very good at science and didn’t like it very much.  STEM showed me that I do love science.  Because of STEM I am now taking AP science courses in high school.

Becky Gomez

STEM High School Intern and Former STEM Curiosity Lab participant

Design Principles

The programs in this database clear a high bar. STEMworks reviewed each program against the Design Principles for Effective STEM Philanthropy. Programs must be Accomplished (accomplished) across all Design Principles, or be Developing (developing) in a maximum of three areas.

Overarching Principles

  • Need Accomplished

    Identify and target a compelling and well-defined need.

  • Evaluation Accomplished

    Use rigorous evaluation to continuously measure and inform progress towards the compelling need identified.

  • Sustainability Developing

    Ensure work is sustainable.

  • Replication & Scalability Developing

    Demonstrate replicability and scalability.

  • Partnerships Developing

    Create high impact partnerships.

  • Capacity Accomplished

    Ensure organizational capacity to achieve goals.

STEM Principles

  • Challenging & Relevant Content Accomplished

    Offer challenging and relevant STEM content for the target audience.

  • STEM Practices Accomplished

    Incorporate and encourage STEM practices.

  • Inspiration Accomplished

    Inspire interest and engagement in STEM.

  • Under-Represented Groups Accomplished

    Identify and address the needs of under-represented groups.

Program Overview

STEM Curiosity Lab is an after-school program that provides integrated lessons in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Utilizing an inquiry approach while students explore STEM topics through innovative lessons inspired by student interest, Next Generation Science Standards and Colorado Mathematics Standards. The STEM Curiosity Lab seeks to inspire the future of STEM innovators by providing youth access and confidence in STEM topics. STEM Curiosity Lab strives to increase student’s attitudes and self-efficacy towards STEM topics to encourage students to pursue STEM coursework in high school and college.

Funders and Partners

Funders: Harvey Family Foundation; Women’s Foundation of Colorado; Xcel Energy Foundation; Alpine Bank; United Way of Eagle River Valley. Partners: Eagle County Schools