FUELSTEAM

FUELSTEAM IS . . .

A team of thinkers and doers, innovators and engineers, nerds and artists, advocates and educators. We are creators, committed to remedying the challenges underrepresented youth (intermediate grades 3-5) face with being afforded opportunities to STEAM enriched learning.

WHAT IS STEAM?

STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. The end results are students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. Students are the innovators, educators, leaders, and learners of the 21st century.

HOW DO WE FUEL IT?

Leading by example. Racial Equity; we understand the importance and impact of being present. Think President Obama, Hidden Figures and Black Panther . . . without question, representation matters. We also know possessing a solid STEAM foundation is essential to the future success of 21st century youth. By building strong relationships with our sponsoring schools, community partners and program champions, we’re able to implement in-school STEAM enrichment that inspires learning and nurtures hands-on skills development. We work 1:1 with our mini-STEAM Makers, fostering their ability to think critically, build scalable solutions and enjoy the journey of becoming technology creators.

FUEL: FUNDAMENTALS
COMPUTER SCIENCE FOR ALL

According to GOOGLE, more than 65% of students will work in jobs that don’t even exist today. #FUELSTEAM is on a mission to prepare students for the future while keeping them engaged and excited about the new possibilities they will unlock by understanding computer science (CS).

APPLIED SCIENCE + SKILLS ENRICHMENT

Learning is only 1/2 the journey — and fun! From programming robots to developing mobile apps, here’s where STEAM Makers apply CS skills and enjoy hands-on development activities that introduce new experiences, encouraging our young inventors, makers and creators to DREAM BIG!

ENGAGE. EXPLORE. EXPAND. (E3)

Using smart technology to connect with STEAM creators, educators and peers outside the classroom affords countless learning opportunities for our STEAM Makers. Our advisors are a diverse group of mixed-media artists who collaborate with FUELSTEAMto build capacity for delivering rich experiences to students.

FUELSTEAM is a DCPS Excellence through Equity (EtE) funded initiative created to expose youth of color to multidisciplinary, STEAM enrichment. Our goal: to resolve the SKILLS and OPPORTUNITY gaps impacting underrepresented students, providing them with the technical competencies required to compete and thrive in a global marketplace.

Every kid needs a champion.

Rita Pierson
Project Details
  • Year: 2017-2018
  • Cohort: Elementary Students 3rd-5th
  • Demographic: African-American, Hispanic/Latino Male/Female/Non-Binary
  • Site: Washington, DC
  • Impact: Cultural Equity, Mentorship, Computer Science for All Equity and Programming Skills Development
  • Outcome: Continued Excellence through Equity DCPS funding. Digital Literacy, Increased program enrollment and interest in STEAM-related activities in school, continued participation in the Make Some Noyes STEAM program, increased self-confidence in tackling science classes and projects
  • Web: FUELSTEAM
  • Instagram: @FUELSTEAM