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.
Accomplished
- 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

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.
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 () across all Design Principles, or be Developing (
) in a maximum of three areas.
Overarching Principles
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Need Accomplished
Identify and target a compelling and well-defined need.
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Evaluation Accomplished
Use rigorous evaluation to continuously measure and inform progress towards the compelling need identified.
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Sustainability Developing
Ensure work is sustainable.
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Replication & Scalability Developing
Demonstrate replicability and scalability.
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Partnerships Developing
Create high impact partnerships.
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Capacity Accomplished
Ensure organizational capacity to achieve goals.
STEM Principles
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Challenging & Relevant Content Accomplished
Offer challenging and relevant STEM content for the target audience.
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STEM Practices Accomplished
Incorporate and encourage STEM practices.
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Inspiration Accomplished
Inspire interest and engagement in STEM.
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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