STEM Saturday Academy

Black Girls Do STEM is excited to invite you and your student to participate in our STEM Saturday Academy. Applications are now open for girls grades 6th-8th.

STEM Saturday Academy is 100% Free
for All Youth and Families

Our seven-year pathway begins with the Middle School Program at STEM Saturday Academy. This eight-month, 40-hour core program covering all STEM areas offers hands-on workshops, on-site mentorship from working STEM professionals, and evidence-based social-emotional activities for personal growth. The final component is experiential learning field trips where girls go on site at STEM companies across industries and learn with and from professionals hands-on in real world STEM work environments. Through immersive occupational awareness and career exploration, STEM Saturday Academy significantly empowers participants to alter their life trajectories, enhancing their self-awareness, bolstering confidence, and nurturing self-worth that positively contributes to their long-term success.

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Who We Serve:

We serve youth in regionally targeted zip codes based upon a market analysis. In keeping with the identification of target zip codes struggling with economic divestment, low educational attainment and low STEM occupational success we also target first generation STEM exposed youth from high poverty schools; see definitions below.

Where We Serve:

SSA takes place at location community centers within our target zipcodes; our current site partners include Thomas Dunn Learning Center, Wesley House Association, Bellefontaine Neighbors Recreational Center, and The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Ferguson Community Empowerment Center.

First-Generation STEM Exposure

We specifically serve first-generation STEM-exposed youth, identifying girls who are the first in their immediate families to be exposed to STEM education and careers and live in households earning below Missouri’s median household income. Currently, 83% of students are first-generation STEM exposed.

% of Students Receiving Free and Reduced Price Lunch

Black Girls Do STEM targets high-poverty schools with more than 75% of students eligible for FRPL assistance. We also require parental disclosure of household demographics in applications, aligning participant demographics with the schools’ free and reduced lunch metrics and ensuring the program reaches those most in need. Currently, ⅔ of students are FRPL recipients.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Cost: FREE
Application submissions start in January of upcoming year
Runs from February to October
Time: 10am-2:45pm
Meets once a month
Covers ALL areas of STEM with our integrated curriculum focus

SSA Covers STEM Topics (Year 1)

Forensic Science
Entrepreneurship: Cosmetic Science,
Fashion Engineering
Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering,
GIS Mapping
Agricultural Technology and Engineering
Space Exploration: New and emerging technologies
Construction and Civil Engineering

In year 2 they will have the choice to select only 2 career pathways to take a deeper dive into areas they found most interesting.

STEM Saturday Academy | 6th-8th Grade

Career Exploration of Various STEM Careers
- Enhance career exploration and build 21st century skills
Multidisciplinary STEM Curriculum
- Ignite curiosity through variety of hands on learning experiences
Mentoring from Black women in STEM
- Build Confidence and Self-worth and Positive STEM Identity
Social-emotional Development (SEL)
- Social and personal development (character development)

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

New students must be in 6th, 7th as of January 1st of the year to sign up to participate in the program. Returning students can participate through 9th grade.
To qualify as a returning student, you must have completed a full year in the STEM Saturday Academy (February-October) of a previous year. If you attended a one-off event such as a field trip, etc., please complete this application as a new student.
Applications are open January 1st and close February 28th
You can join the waitlist any time after February 28th for acceptance into the next program year.
The program start date is March 1st. Site location details will be assigned and sent via email, after each application is received and accepted.
February Orientations are mandatory to begin in March.

Learn About our other programs

STEM SATURDAY ACADEMY NUMBERS

STEM Saturday Academy Application Countsby Program Year

Attendence
Percentage

Enrollment Count By Year
(Program Completion)

STEM SATURDAY ACADEMY FAQS

Is this program exclusive to African American girls and other girls of color?

No, Black Girls Do STEM allows all youth to participate in our program with the understanding that Black Girls Do STEM was created to center and empower African American girls and other girls of color by providing culturally relevant STEM learning experiences.

How much does the STEM Saturday Academy cost?

The program is completely free to all participants. All materials and activities are funded through grants, private donations, and foundation support..

What age range of girls are accepted in this program?

The STEM Saturday serves girls in grades 6–8.

New youth must be in 6th or 7th grade as of March 1st of the program year.
Once accepted, youth may return annually.
Once in the 9th Grade, Youth transition to our EPP program for 9th-12th graders

Are girls expected to attend all the workshops all year?

Yes. The STEM Saturday Academy runs eight months out of the year. Youth and parents are asked to commit to attending all monthly workshops to ensure a meaningful learning experience.

What is the frequency of the academy?

Each site meets once per month on its designated Saturday.

Please refer to the website calendar for specific dates.

Are girls allowed absences from the STEM Saturday Academy?

Yes, but attendance is important.

Youth are allowed up to two absences during the program year.
After a third absence, youth may continue attending but will not complete the final assessment due to missed instruction hours. Consistent attendance supports both student learning and program evaluation, which helps us maintain funding.

Do parents have to attend the parent and student orientation?

Yes. Both the parent and student must attend orientation before the student can begin the program.

Will transportation be provided for students to the sites?

Yes. Transportation is available. Families must confirm transportation needs at least four days before each workshop to ensure scheduling

What is the location of the program?

The Academy operates at multiple community sites across the St. Louis region. Our priority is to place youth with 5 miles of their home zipcode, if and when possible. Site assignments are finalized during parent and student orientation in February of each program year.

Does the program include lunch?

A light breakfast, Hot Lunch and snack are provided.

What time is the program?

Workshops take place from 10:00 AM to 2:45 PM at all community sites.