Building strong relationships within the Black Youth in STEM program is central to its mission. These relationships span across participants, parents, instructors, mentors, volunteers and the local community. Our approach to community building is grounded in creating lasting connections that enhance the educational experience for all involved.
We believe in fostering a sense of belonging, especially for Black youth who often face racial microaggressions and societal alienation. By offering a fully sponsored program, we ensure that families, particularly those facing economic challenges, have access to high-quality STEM education. This not only provides cognitive and psychosocial benefits, but also helps students navigate a multicultural environment, teaching them how to thrive in diverse settings.
Our community-building efforts are enriched by the guidance of the Indigenous Futures in Engineering (InEng) unit at Queen’s University, which offers valuable insights into fostering inclusive learning environments. InEng has supported us in engaging families, as seen during our rocketry activity at summer camps, where over one hundred family members gathered to witness students launch their creations. This experience is just one example of how our program creates a sense of community, as families forge deeper relationships through shared activities.
Strong partnerships with academic and community organizations allow us to deliver relevant and impactful STEM learning experiences for Black youth. Collaborating with Queen’s University faculties and departments ensures that our programs benefit from high-quality educational resources and expertise. For instance, the Faculty of Education Library offers us access to resources that help teach Black youth valuable academic skills, preparing them for future educational success.
In addition, local community organizations, such as the Museum of Health Care in Kingston, provide invaluable hands-on learning opportunities for our students. Their staff offer engaging, interactive experiences that complement our STEM curriculum and are integral to enriching the educational journey of our participants.
Our primary community partner in the Greater Toronto Area is the Durham Catholic District School Board, with whom we have collaborated since 2022. This partnership has enabled us to engage Black and racialized youth in elementary and high schools across the district, with a special focus on students in grades 7 to 10 through summer camps and virtual programming.
In the summer of 2022, we also partnered with Ladder 2 Rise, an organization committed to removing educational barriers for underrepresented youth, including those in state care. Their work ensures that these students have a clear and accessible path to achieving their academic and life goals.
Our most recent partnership is with the Youth Association for Academics, Athletics, and Character Education (YAAACE), a Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving organization. YAAACE provides culturally reflective programs and services aimed at bridging the opportunity gap for racialized and under-resourced communities, aligning with our shared mission to empower Black youth and support their academic and personal development.
Through these strategic partnerships, we continue to create a robust network of support for Black youth, helping them gain the STEM skills and confidence needed to succeed academically and professionally. Moreover, these efforts are laying the foundation for a pipeline of students who, inspired by their experiences, will pursue STEM studies at Queen’s University at the post-secondary level, contributing to the diversification of STEM fields and fostering long-term academic and career success for Black youth.