HudsonAlpha introduces first-ever weekend after-school program through corporate support

The demand for an educated and diverse STEM workforce is skyrocketing. Counting more than 10 million people, STEM workers make up 24% of the total American workforce. By 2031, the number of STEM workers will have grown by nearly 11%, more than double that of any other occupation in the United States.

To meet the demand for STEM-educated employees, STEM curriculums are increasingly prioritized in school systems across the country. This is especially true in North Alabama, where tech and STEM-focused companies have a strong presence. Investing in children’s STEM education is a critical necessity to meeting these workforce needs, but it is also the key to making STEM a more accessible and inclusive field.

Out-of-school STEM programming has an undeniably positive impact on school children’s proficiency in STEM. Children participating in such programs are more likely to have higher proficiency in STEM subjects, improved critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and an increased interest in STEM careers.

Access to out-of-school programming is not the same for everyone, though. Children from economically disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds may not have the resources or opportunities to participate in such programs. 

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology’s Educational Outreach team has launched STEM Saturdays, a new out-of-school program supported by Boeing, STEM Saturday Presenting Sponsor, and Supporting Sponsor Aerojet Rocketdyne, as a much-needed solution. This program allows HudsonAlpha to bring STEM education to students across North Alabama.

Many nonprofit organizations serving young people plan educational opportunities for their members on Saturdays, allowing HudsonAlpha to collaborate with groups like Girls, Inc., Village of Promise, Real Fathers, Real Men, and The Winning Foundation. Through these collaborations, HudsonAlpha can impact children who are more likely toexperience barriers to access most after-school STEM programs.

In its pilot year, STEM Saturdays are offered once a quarter on HudsonAlpha’s campus, in the Institute’s state-of-the-art educational laboratories. Collaborating organizations select from a menu of hands-on activities about genetics to offer their members during their visit, such as learning how to extract DNA from subjects like strawberries. 

Because of Boeing’s generosity as Presenting Sponsor, and Aerojet Rocketdyne’s gift as Supporting Sponsor, HudsonAlpha is able to purchase the equipment and supplies necessary to get STEM Saturdays off the ground and provide activities free of cost to participating organizations. Boeing and Aerojet Rocketdyne’s support also funds the HudsonAlpha educators leading each lab activity.

“HudsonAlpha’s Educational Outreach team is excited to partner with groups that serve our community to provide hands-on engagement outside typical business hours,” said Dasi Price, Director of Student Experiences. “These organizations are well-established and deeply invested in our community. They have learners who are eager to engage and we wanted to minimize their barriers while increasing access to STEM. With the help of Boeing and Aerojet Rocketdyne, we are able to serve our community with quality educational resources.”