Intel Corporation, YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix and Salt River Project (SRP) has recognized three educators and 18 nonprofits as participants of the Equity in STEAM Initiative 2.0 cohort, including a science teacher at Casteel High School in Queen Creek.
The initiative invested $120,000 towards closing the Grand Canyon-sized gap of women and people of color in Arizona’s STEAM industries, where nationally Black and Hispanic women make up an increasing 16% of the U.S. population but make up only 4% of U.S. scientists and engineers.
“With the growing technology industry in Arizona, it’s critical our students, the next generation, know they belong in STEAM, regardless of the ZIP code they call home,” said Jennifer Sanchez, community affairs manager at Intel Arizona.
This year’s cohort includes seven returning grantees from last year’s inaugural cohort and 14 new grantees who will be awarded grants between $2,500-$3,000. Grants will fund a variety of programs including robotics programs and leadership workshops aimed at inspiring underrepresented communities to explore a career pathway in the industry.
“I am hoping to encourage girls to pursue careers as scientists, engineers, robotics and more," said Robin Flyte, a science teacher at Casteel High School in Queen Creek, who is being awarded $2,500 for advancing representation. "The Equity in STEAM grant will help prepare our students for a bright future after high school.”
Along with Casteel High School, the other three educators are from Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary School and Phoenix Elementary School District No. 1. The 18 nonprofits are:
- Aguila Youth Leadership Institute
- Arizona Alliance of Black School Educators
- Arizona Kids THINK Too
- Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology (AZ StRUT)
- Arizona Sustainability Alliance
- Chinle Planting Hope
- Cultural Coalition Inc.
- Education Empowers Inc.
- Faith Missionary Baptist Church
- Friends of the Avondale Libraries
- Future for KIDS
- Future Stars Inc.
- Lights Camera Discover
- Mo-Energee Youth Foundation
- Rising Youth Theatre
- Si Se Puede Foundation
- Sounds of Autism
- Vessels of Possibilities
“Diverse experiences and voices bring forward innovation, and these 21 grantees are blazing a path for students, people of color, and women to become creators, leaders and game changers in their future careers,” said Andrea Moreno, community stewardship program manager at SRP.
In addition to receiving grants to fund programs and resources, awardees will join the YWCA Equity Leadership Learning series which includes four Equity Workshops to facilitate conversations and learnings exploring the intersection of social equity and STEAM. Upon completion of the first Equity in STEAM Initiative Leadership Series last year, the inaugural cohort reported the following results:
- 95% of participants feel more comfortable discussing racial and social equity topics, up from 59% when the initiative started.
- 72% of participants feel more confident in implementing culturally relevant solutions, up from 35% when the initiative started.
“There is plenty of space in the pipeline for people of all cultures and communities to thrive. The Equity in STEAM Initiative 2.0 cohort is making a powerful difference to break down the barriers and inspire the next generation to believe in their talent,” said Debbie Esparza, chief executive officer at YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix.
Program details and past initiative materials are available at ywcaaz.org/
