Young Inquisitive Minds
Young Inquisitive Minds is a student-run non-profit fiscally sponsored by Via Services geared towards fostering scientific exploration and curiosity in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through hands-on STEM activities such as building robots and conducting science experiments, Bay Area students in special education programs are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in extensive STEM learning, inspiring many to pursue STEM careers in the future. By 2025, we hope to work with every student in special education in Bay Area, California.
CURRENT & UPCOMING PROJECTS
ONLINE PROGRAMMING
In light of the COVID-19, Young Inquisitive Minds hosted online sessions with their local community. With lesson plans such as slime and building catapults, we gave students a chance to release their inner curiosity and an outlet for their creativity.
HELP US GATHER
Young Inquisitive Minds has been hosting online STEM sessions in collaboration with the Help Us Gather Community based in Clearwater, Florida. Our sessions have ranged from making marshmallow towers to making ice cream in a bag.
STANFORD- KIDS WITH DREAMS
In September 2020, Young Inquisitive Minds will begin our collaboration with Stanford’s Kids with Dreams. Every alternate weekend, we will be hosting online STEM sessions ranging from soap-powered boats to water bottle rockets with their community.
CHILDREN OF WAR & ENABLED CHILDREN INITIATIVE
In October 2020, Young Inquisitive Minds will be launching our virtual program overseas as we will be hosting our sessions online with kids in Afghanistan in collaboration with Children of War and Enabled Children Initiative. We hope to replicate this model to provide STEM education in other places throughout the world.
SCHOOL CURRICULUM
In Fall 2020, Young Inquisitive Minds hopes to introduce our STEM school curriculum in elementary, middle and high school special education classrooms around Bay Area classroom. With 30 minute weekly STEM activities, the sessions will give all Bay Area students in special education a chance to experience STEM learning. We have had the opportunity to present at LPA conference and at the FUHSD council meeting.
PAST PROJECTS
SANTA CLARA THERAPEUTIC RECREATION CENTER
“Teens Love Stem” was our debut program held at the Senior Center in Santa Clara. This program was hosted by Meghana Repaka and Nithila Poongovan alongside the recreation coordinator Lauren Council. With the help from the staff at TRS and our high school volunteers we were able to hold multiple week sessions that were curated to fit the 13-17 age group. Since then, we have been in collaboration with the Santa Clara TRS often on weekly activities and events. For more information check out their website at www. santaclaraca.gov
SANTA CLARA SPECIAL EDUCATION
Starting last year, our team has consistently worked with the special education community at Santa Clara High School. We continue to host activities during that time ranging from Thanksgiving projects to robotics activities and science experiments. To learn more about the activities that regularly take place at Santa Clara High, contact [email protected] and check out the gallery on our home page to see pictures of the activities.
ONLINE COMMUNITY
During COVID-19, Young Inquisitive Minds was struck with a barrier as we couldn’t continue our hands-on work. The team soon decided that the best way that we could support our community is to offer our services adapted to an online model. We are now supporting the Bay Area special needs community through online, guided STEM session and through social community sessions on our facebook group. Join the group!
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