TAF equips students of color for success in college and life through the power of a STEM education by providing a rigorous and relevant K-12 curriculum.
TAF is a nonprofit leader in STEM education that equips students of color for success in college and life. We partner with public education, businesses and the community to actively engage students in the real world, and we share our successes to advance systemic reform that improves STEM education for all.
After successfully delivering TechStart, our K-8 after-school STEM enrichment program, for more than a decade, TAF is expanding the program's model: for students grades K-5, we will offer TechStart during the school day, partnering with districts and schools. And our middle school program will operate under a new name, STEM Up (STEM↑), and will be offered at the Bethaday Community Learning Space in White Center. This will allow us to serve many middle schools in the area where STEM enrichment as well as after-school programming are needed.
The STEM Up model has the following goals for students in the program:
Increase access to rigorous STEM-related learning opportunities
Increase awareness of, access to and early participation in STEM-related fields
Reduce the number of students who are underprepared for middle school math and science
Graduate from 8th grade with a college readiness action plan
The STEM Up program at Bethaday Community Learning Space will foster a culture of achievement where students are self-directed, curious, and accomplished learners prepared to transition to the new challenges of high school. And we will have teachers armed with the tools and habits of mind to maintain that culture.
To make STEM Up a success, TAF needs dedicated classroom volunteers who work with students by engaging them in the curriculum and working with them one-on-one to facilitate their understanding of classroom exercises. Volunteers also support the lead instructor by answering questions, keeping students on task and determining which students need extra support in the areas of math and reading.
Classes will be held Monday-Thursday, 3pm-6pm starting the first of the year, and will continue until mid-June 2013.
TAF has ongoing opportunities to volunteer your time and talent: • Speakers and guest panelists who contribute to TAF Academy college and career development • Photographers/Videographers to document the growth of our students and programs • Marketers to lend expertise to fundraising efforts • Event support assists with fundraisers and special TAF events • Foundation Support to assist with Marketing, Project Research, Education & Child Development and writers • General office help for mass mailers, data entry and special projects
