Letters to a Pre-Scientist: STEM Professional Pen-Pal Program for Grades 5-10

Letters to a Pre-Scientist (LPS) is a non-profit initiative to facilitate one-on-one, pen-pal conversations between students in Grades 5-10 in low-income communities and STEM professionals in order to humanize STEM professionals, to inspire students to explore a future in STEM, and to demystify STEM career pathways. STEM professionals sign up in July-August and are matched with students in September based on shared interests. Students and their STEM professional partners exchange at least four letters during the school year. Entire classrooms of students participate in the program, each led by a teacher recruited by LPS and committed to the program. Started by one teacher in 2010, LPS has grown to other schools. Tax-deductible donations are appreciated.