The Latino STEM Alliance (LSA) partners with schools, private industry, and community groups to bring STEM to under-served youth, with the aim to increase the number of underrepresented minorities pursuing STEM degrees. LSA brings nationally successful, hands-on STEM enrichment activities to youth at schools or community groups, led by local teachers paid a stipend by LSA. Volunteers — like you — assist and serve as role models to inspire these youth to consider STEM careers. LSA currently runs two programs at several sites in Boston and Lawrence:
- Robotics After School introduces students to mechanics, electronics, programming, and engineering throughout the school year. It currently sponsors 11 robotics teams using LEGO Mindstorm kits in weekly after-school sessions.
- Summer Robotics is a summer day camp running a similar program from early July through mid-August and culminating in the LSA Summer Robotics Tournament.
On Saturday, June 13 (10AM-2PM), LSA’s after-school robotics teams will participate in a competition at the Lilla G. Frederick Middle School, 270 Columbia Road in Dorchester, in conjunction with LSA’s STEM Fair, with hands-on activities offered by the New England Aquarium, Franklin Park Zoo, MIT Lincoln Labs, and many others. Register to attend the STEM Fair.
Newton’s Chuck Hurwitz — retired chair of the NSHS Science Department and head coach of the LigerBots — is on LSA’s board and is passionate about Newton students and adults sharing their robotics experience with students in urban areas. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Volunteers are needed for the June 13 robotics competition to judge events, to support teams as they get ready to compete, to take pictures, or simply to help with setup/logistics of the event. Sign up here to volunteer on June 13.
- If you’d like to volunteer for LSA in other capacities at other times, use the general volunteer sign-up form.
- Individuals, foundations, and corporations are invited to provide essential financial support for LSA’s programs. In particular, LSA seeks sponsors for its Summer Robotics program.