HIP Through Science

K-12 STEAM Education

South LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

The math and science proficiency rates for youth in South Los Angeles, Watts, and Compton areas are dismal. In Watts, students that achieve a score at or above proficiency on state-wide math exams for elementary is 17% average 35% middle school is 6% average is 34% high school is 8% while the average is 33% In an increasingly complex, technologically-based society, students need at least a fundamental understanding of STEM to lead productive lives. Currently African-American students have the lowest rate of mathematically proficient students at 15%, compared to 66% of Asian students, 52% of white students, and 19% of Latino students. According to CAASPP there are currently 31 schools that have 0% 5th graders who meet proficiency standards. To date, HIP Through Science has engaged 1,000’s of South LA residents and students with STEM education through community health fairs, Annual Science Fairs, and on-going HIP Through Science sessions.

The HTS Mobile STEM lab will make LA the best place to learn by bringing relatable, fun, science programs to youth in Watts, Compton, and South Los Angeles. Partnerships with local parks, housing projects, and auxiliary school programs allows the lab to travel to where the students are. Tapping into a network of local tech companies, entrepreneurs, and engineers allows HTS to bring culturally relevant curriculum and connections to youth who would otherwise not have these opportunities. Youth in the HTS program are able to participate in year-round learning courses that expose them to projects that meet current CA educational standards. The lab increases exposure to STEM careers, provides one-on-one learning opportunities, and inspires the next generation of STEM leaders to grow in their local communities. The program provides an opportunity for local youth to start STEM learning in kindergarten and stay with the program through high school at no cost and no travel obligation. Internal programs like the HTS bowling fundraiser, the annual science fair, and evening gala are additional opportunities for community members, youth included, to participate in the development of the HTS program.

We would hope that this work is able to inspire children from inner cities to pursue STEM careers. We are in the process of expanding this program from city-wide to county-wide, to serve and inspire more youth to chase their dreams in STEM fields.

The measures of our success will be quantified through a variety of methods. We will have quarterly quizzes that will be assigned and given out to each site to find out what educational points need to be improved on. We will track the improvements and our goal will be to have each child improve test scores and be STEM ready to meet state-wide testing requirements. HIP Through Science surveys will be given out also quarterly to determine and measure the interest gained while attending sessions. Information will be provided on such topics as what are the STEM field careers that they are familiar with before and after, what type of STEM careers relate to what they would like to do in life. We have doubled our number of participants and community attendance since our first Science Fair. Our success will also be measured by our youths’ willingness to participate in sessions and having the confidence to read in front of other peers in each session.