Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS)

It's been one week since our in-person #CYESS convening and we have one thing to say: THANK YOU! We at the Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) are filled with gratitude for the incredible partners in this space. Every day, providers in the #CYESS community and the afterschool STEM space are equipping young people with the skills they need to address society's most pressing challenges—not just in the future, but right now. We couldn't do this without you. We wish you a safe and peaceful Thanksgiving!

We want to know: What do you value about your work in the youth-serving field? Share your thoughts in the comments and see what the #CYESS community had to say!

Let us introduce Amanda Sullivan! Joining us from the National Girls Collaborative, Amanda will be supporting the Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS)'s research in youth voice in STEM and Collective Impact. Welcome Amanda! Featuring National Girls Collaborative Youth Advisory Board Coach Candid Mack! ??

Last week, members of the Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) (CYESS) came together for an inspiring two-day workshop in Washington, D.C. We were thrilled to have NGCP’s Karen Peterson, Amanda Sullivan, and Candid M. representing our team at this important convening. The workshop featured panels, small group discussions, and large group planning sessions to reflect on CYESS’s progress and chart the path forward. Our team contributed by leading a speed networking session, facilitating affinity group discussions, and kicking things off with an engaging icebreaker. We’re proud to be part of this collective effort to empower youth through STEM and look forward to continuing this impactful work alongside our CYESS partners! #STEMEducation #YouthEmpowerment #Collaboration #NGCP

At last week's convening, we asked our partners: How do we achieve collective impact and level up our ability to help youth use STEM for social good? Read more about the programs doing this work and using afterschool STEM to inspire, empower, and equip young people with the skills they need to change the world. See how Mikva Challenge, Technovation, Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), and more are prioritizing youth voice and inspiring young people to take charge of their STEM experience—and how you can too! https://lnkd.in/e8hdeN8G

"Trubelmakers" are using STEM to shine a light on the climate issues impacting their communities in Detroit and across Michigan—from air quality in low-income areas to the accessibility of greenspaces. Through the EcoGIS: Mapping Environmentally Just Futures program, young people are learning mapping and data analysis skills, applying their research, and sparking real change! Leah Boveda of trubel&co shares, "Students were able to construct potential research questions GIS could help answer, situating these questions within their local Michigan communities. This reflects our goal of empowering youth to think through local narratives about their surroundings while tackling the environmental issues closest to them." https://lnkd.in/gHqyEjFc

It’s hard to find a more dedicated and passionate team than those involved in #CYESS! What a great two days full of learning and collaboration with the goal of empowering young people to use STEM for social good.

"At the end of the day, we are involved in faith work." ???? This line has stayed with me since attending this week's Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) convening—a powerful reminder of what drives this work and why it matters so deeply. People always ask me why I insist in bringing abolitionist thought into the world of STEM education and innovation. ???? "Abolition is confusing." ?? "No one know what you're talking about." ???? "Why make youth education politically divisive?" ?? "Aren't you worried about losing funding?" But I come from a culture celebrating civil rights in a country founded on dreams of freedom -- why is liberation work divisive? I center abolition because I dream of a world where all people can live free and healthy lives. Period. And to get there, we need faith. Faith that better is possible. Faith that systems and technology—when radically reimagined—can actually serve everyone. Faith that doing the work—despite the upcoming opposition—will get us there. Sure, there are other terms that push "STEM for social change": #humancentereddesign #socialinnovation #responsibletech — but none of these encapsulated the necessary work in showing youth that their dreams not only matter, but are possible. At trubel&co, abolition fuels our faith work, driving our commitment to speculative design, radical imagination, and critical civic inquiry. We use these tools in data, design, and technology to document & repair harm, challenge inequitable systems, and co-create solutions rooted in justice. And as I reflect on the insights from this convening, I’m reminded of why I’m hopeful: because youth are leading the way. I’m continually inspired by the young people and frontline communities we engage—taking geospatial data to map more liberatory futures. In the Gulf Coast, we explore more equitable models of disaster recovery. In the Midwest, we question the harms of surveillance and push for economic opportunity. In Hawai`i, we are reimagining land justice and community resilience. Youth are using STEM to create bold visions for a more just world. Their work reminds me that faith, like abolition, is not blind optimism—it is grounded in action, imagination, and the collective courage to believe in what could be. This is our #goodtrubel Let’s keep reimagining together. In us, I have faith.

That’s a wrap on the #CYESS in-person workshop! This week, leaders from afterschool STEM and youth-serving organizations came together to share their ideas, hopes, and visions for the future of our work at the intersection of STEM learning, youth leadership, and community engagement. Thank you to our attendees, partners, and panelists for showing up fully and engaging so thoughtfully over the past few days—your dedication to this collective is helping pave the way for more young people to access the opportunities they need to foster societal change. We were also honored to have Megan J Smith, CEO of shift7 and former United States Chief Technology Officer, join us in Washington, DC! Let's keep the momentum going into the new year! ??

??It was an amazing two days of learning, deep thinking, active listening and moving towards a charge in the many ways #NYSCI, #CYESS and several organizations and professionals are activating intersections in STEM, civics and youth development! We are leading the charge with the Afterschool Alliance to #collectively keep active youth voice centered in the work as we drill down to the “what”, “how” and “why”. ?? ??Thank you Anita K., Leah Silverberg and many others for facilitating an important and impactful meeting in #DC. It was a great time learning with awesome colleagues. Priya Mohabir, Candid M. , Karen Peterson , Nick Okafor, and more!?? #collaboration #fundingforsocialgood #youthvoice #doingthework #afterschoolmatters