Saturday STREAMM Academy II (SSA II)

K-12 STEAM education

South LA County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

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

The Saturday STREAMM Academy II (SSA II) addresses the lack of access to high-quality STREAMM (Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Medicine) education for students in South Los Angeles, a historically underserved community with a shortage in healthcare professionals. Many students in these areas face systemic barriers that limit exposure to hands-on learning, mentorship, and career pathways in STREAMM fields. Students from underserved communities such as South Los Angeles do not see people who look like them in these areas, so they don’t always perceive they can attain careers in STREAMM fields. Our goal is to close these opportunity gaps by providing early and culturally relevant experiences that ignite curiosity, build skills, and empower students to pursue careers in STREAMM fields. Our emphasis on early exposure is important because it helps spark curiosity, build confidence, and lay the foundation for long-term interest and success in STREAMM fields.

Saturday STREAMM Academy II (SSA II) addresses equity gaps in STREAMM education by providing high-quality, hands-on learning for Pre-K–12 students in underserved communities. The program offers three 6–8-week sessions yearly, in subjects like Coding, Engineering, Mathematics, Research, Human Anatomy, and Global Health. Students learn from near-peer mentors—undergraduate, graduate, and medical students—who reflect their backgrounds and career aspirations. SSA II incorporates real-world simulation activities and topic-aligned field trips that bring STREAMM concepts to life. Students receive free tutoring and mentorship to build confidence and success in STREAMM subjects. Parents and guardians attend workshops to strengthen their role in supporting their child’s STREAMM journey. Community events: The Junior White Coat Ceremony celebrates students' commitment to pursuing careers in health professions. Students receive a “Junior White Coat”. Career Day introduces families to STREAMM professions through interactive panels, career workshops, and hands-on demonstrations, increasing their awareness of and interest in STREAMM careers. STREAMM Day engages families in hands-on experiments and presentations enhancing their understanding of STREAMM concepts. Let’s Move Day provides families with wellness, health workshops, fairs and activities. SSA II’s holistic model promotes early exposure, sustained interest, and long-term pathways into STREAMM fields for underrepresented youth.

If the STREAMM program succeeds, there will be a better workforce diversity, and improvements in educational attainment for students from underrepresented communities in Los Angeles County. South LA has a higher percentage of residents living below the federal poverty line. Providing students from South LA with access to quality STREAMM education will not only provide them with skills needed to succeed, but students will build the confidence to pursue these careers. This will lead to a higher representation of diverse STREAMM professionals. Families will be more empowered to support their children’s learning and career goals. In the long-term, the program will help create a more diverse and skilled local workforce, close opportunity gaps, and give underrepresented communities in Los Angeles County better access to resources. Students will have better chances to succeed, making Los Angeles County a better community to live in and thrive no matter what your social economic status.