Saturday Science Academy

K-12 STEAM education

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Under representation of women and minorities in STEAM careers, access to out-of-school educational opportunities, low achievement for youth of color in math and science disciplines in school, and low interest and awareness for the efficacy of STEAM studies and their relevance to workplace and life realities are the key issues addressed. "The nation has persistent inequities in access, participation, and success in STEM subjects that exist along racial lines, which threaten the nation’s ability to close education and poverty gaps, meet the demands of a technology-driven economy, ensure national security, and maintain preeminence in scientific research and technological innovation" (DOE, 2016). The stark reality is that a disproportionate number of people of color, particularly Black and Latinx, are even further away from becoming STEAM-literate and having the ability to thrive in a hyper-competitive, global marketplace without significant changes in early education opportunities.

Issue: Under representation of women and minorities in STEAM. Our Program: exposes elementary thru high school students (girls and boys) of color to STEAM subjects to cultivate interest in pursuing STEAM college majors and careers\. Issue: Limited access to out-of-school educational opportunities for inner city students of color. Our Program: Offered free-of-charge in an out-of-school environment. The program consists of two Saturday sessions per month from January through July. Issue: Low achievement for youth of color in math and science disciplines in school. Our Program: One Saturday generally is classroom instruction, where the students receive education on a designated STEAM topic generally from STEAM college instructors and STEAM professionals of color. On the other Saturday, the students typically have a field trip to a science-related venue to expand and deepen their classroom learning experience. This has proven to strengthen classroom motivation and performance in school.
Issue: Low interest and awareness for the efficacy of STEAM studies and their relevance to workplace and life realities. Our Program: Curriculum based on hands-on project based learning, linking of classroom to real-world applications, and exposure to professionals that look like them to increase interest and show relevance to real life. Our motto is "See what you can be". Program also engages families in program activities to create a supportive network on the importance of education.

Historically, African American and Hispanic students have been underachieving in math and science in Los Angeles County schools especially in South Los Angeles. Reasons can vary depending on various factors such as school resources, teacher quality, socioeconomic status, and individual student circumstances. While the school districts are doing much to address the issue and bridge the gap between minority students and their non-minority counterparts, out of school programs, such as ours, have proven to be a significant contributor to improving in-school academic performance and in increasing interest in math and science careers. If successful, our program will help to improve math and science performance in schools across South Los Angeles and change career and life vectors for many students.

Outcomes for our STEAM program are measured primarily through quantitative pre-post test on lesson plan content, which are administered before and after each class session. The tests measure subject knowledge gain using a standardized knowledge gain formula. Desired outcome is that students will show a minimum knowledge gain of 30 percent. The test also can show instructor effectiveness. Pre-post qualitative STEAM interest surveys also are administered at beginning and end of each program year. Additionally, a parent and student satisfaction survey is administered at end of each annual program. Over the past four years our student's average knowledge gain on quantitative tests has exceeded 50 percent. Pre-post quantitative and parental surveys also have shown a high satisfaction with the program and increased interest in STEAM careers.