#USA #New York #Education #Afrobeats #STEM From Dance

STEM From Dance: Creating Community Through Dance and STEM

In an exciting initiative, STEM From Dance has introduced school-based Clubs that merge the rhythm of dance with the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). This new program aims to inspire students nationwide, emphasizing that STEM is not solely about coding or calculations. Instead, it encompasses creativity, confidence, and community.

Earlier this fall, a caregiver from Syracuse shared a touching experience that resonated with the organization. She described her daughter as a girl who had struggled with self-doubt and anxiety but transformed into a confident performer on stage, radiant and surrounded by friends who shared her creative spirit. This narrative encapsulates the essence of what the Clubs aim to achieve—creating an inclusive environment where every student feels they belong in the STEM field.

What Are the Clubs?

The Clubs offered by STEM From Dance are complimentary, school-based programs designed to run in 10-week “tracks”, each focusing on varied STEM themes. These tracks are composed of 3–5 modules, ensuring a rich and engaging learning experience through 2–3 project-based lessons per module, each lasting approximately two hours. Although the standard duration is 10 weeks, the program is flexible enough to be tailored to fit the specific timelines of schools and communities.

Some of the sample modules include creative combinations like Reggaeton and Algorithms, Break Dance Machine, Hoop Dancing Physics, and Afrobeats and AI. These fun and interactive lessons not only teach students about STEM concepts but also allow them to explore their creativity through dance.

Creating a Sense of Belonging

Statistics show that participation in the Clubs significantly enhances students' sense of belonging. About 76% of students involved in STEM From Dance reported feeling like they genuinely belong in STEM fields, a stark contrast to the national average of only 35%. This transformative effect highlights the importance of community in education.

Benefits for Educators and Schools

The program also provides ready-to-use curriculum and training for educators, eliminating the need for extensive planning. This thoughtful design ensures that anyone can implement the Clubs with ease, adapting them to fit their specific school or community needs. Importantly, all resources and participation are free for schools and educators, ensuring that financial constraints will never be a barrier to access.

Yamilée Toussaint, founder and CEO of STEM From Dance and a 2024 CNN Hero, emphasizes that “Every girl deserves to walk into a STEM classroom and think, ‘These are my people. This is where I belong.’” The Clubs strive to make these sentiments a reality, invigorating each school they touch and fostering a culture of support and creativity in STEM.

How to Get Involved

Educators and community partners interested in bringing a Club to their school can find out more at stemfromdance.org/programs/pop-ups-clubs/. By doing so, they can provide students with an invaluable opportunity to discover their passions in a supportive environment where they feel connected and inspired.

Ultimately, when students find their tribe, they cultivate the confidence to take on challenges, embrace leadership roles, and redefine possibilities within the STEM landscape. The exciting blend of dance and education not only elevates their learning experience but also prepares them to be the innovators of tomorrow.

About STEM From Dance

STEM From Dance leverages the power of dance to stimulate creativity and confidence in future innovators, equipping them with essential STEM skills. The organization offers an array of programs, including one-day Pop-Ups, three-week Camps, and the newly launched Clubs, positively impacting thousands of students across the nation. It clearly illustrates that when creativity intersects with technology, innovation shines brightly.