Fizzy Volcanoes, Glow-in-the-Dark Circuits, and Art You Can Hear! Where science, creativity, and culture collide in Compton

K-12 STEAM education

South LA

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

In my community, there’s a serious gap in afterschool programming for the 17,000+ K–12 students in Compton Unified’s 36 Title I schools. I see kids every day in my neighborhood looking for something meaningful to do. Too often, that means hours on their phones, in front of a screen, or getting caught up in risky situations with few positive options. This lack of opportunity has consequences. Despite a 93% high school graduation rate, nearly 21% of residents live in poverty, highlighting a disconnect between academic success and economic mobility. Only 8.6% of youth earn a college degree—far below the 32.5% countywide average—leaving a vast pool of untapped talent. There is an urgent need for equitable investment in enrichment that prepares youth for success before, during, and after high school. UEC is the only organization in Compton offering out-of-school STEAM education to both elementary students and their family members. For many kids, that access makes all the difference.

An LA2050 grant would fund the expansion of one of UEC’s emerging programs, Houses of STEAM, which serves students in grades K–6 and their families. Houses of STEAM is an elementary-age-appropriate, play-based learning program designed to spark curiosity and build foundational skills. The arts are woven throughout every lesson as an equal and essential partner: Students explore mathematical patterns through rhythm and music, illustrate story-driven engineering projects, and bring scientific concepts to life by designing and building their own erupting volcano!
As part of our hands-on approach, we organize 15 "experiences" that expose students to real-world STEAM environments led by BIPOC professionals. For example, at Motivo Engineering, students engage with robotics, 3D printing, and transportation technologies. At the Ocean Institute, students embark on a boat excursion where they observe dolphins and study microorganisms from the ocean floor. At the Fly Compton Foundation, students participate in an introductory flight course, learn about lift, thrust, drag, and gravity, and fly in a small aircraft. These immersive experiences deepen students’ understanding of STEAM concepts and connect them with role models in these fields.
Parent participation is critical and required and whole families are welcome. These shared activities extend learning beyond the classroom, helping parents support their children’s interests and growth. All activities are provided at no cost.

Our goal is to show both children and their families that STEAM learning is not only for them—it’s exciting, creative, and within reach. Through Houses of STEAM, students see themselves not just as learners, but as future engineers, scientists, artists/makers, and problem-solvers. If our expansion is successful, families will be engaged in their children’s learning, and generational and gender mindsets around science, math, and the arts will have broadened—making STEAM feel accessible, relevant, and possible for all. We envision a future Los Angeles where all adults are curious, resilient, and lifelong learners, empowered by early experiences of inquiry, experimentation, creative expression, and a sense of belonging. And, we dream of a thriving Compton community where, by 2050, generational cycles of poverty and economic inequality are broken for good.