At STEM Center USA, we are passionate about empowering young minds through engaging and innovative STEM programs. Our Expanded Learning Opportunity Programs (ELO-P) have allowed us to partner with incredible districts to bring high-quality STEM education to students across Southern California. These partnerships exemplify the importance of ELO-P in providing enrichment opportunities that help students thrive. Through these programs, we provide instructors, materials, and lessons aligned with state standards, ensuring active and engaged learning that meets California Quality Standards for Expanded Learning.
Partnering with Jurupa Unified School District
We are now entering our fourth semester of collaboration with the Jurupa Unified School District! Over the past semesters, we have worked hand-in-hand to offer dynamic afterschool STEM programming at 17 elementary school sites. This program has provided hands-on engineering and science lessons to more than 1,000 students in TK through 5th grades. A highlight of the program is the small group interaction: students engage in one-hour sessions with groups of approximately 20 learners before rotating to include a second group. Example projects include creating animals with Snap Cubes, exploring the ocean with Tangrams, and building towers with Brain Flakes. These activities ignite curiosity and foster critical thinking in young minds.
Celebrating Success with Perris Elementary School District
Over the past year and a half, STEM Center USA has had the privilege of partnering with Perris Elementary School District to bring STEM education to both school-year and summer programs. This partnership has served more than 1,500 TK-8th grade students, immersing them in hands-on STEM projects that make learning exciting and meaningful. Students have explored concepts in engineering, technology, and design through activities such as building mini catapults, crafting Bristle Bots, creating geometric shapes with Tangrams, and designing DIY LED cards. By integrating math and ELA into these projects, we ensure that the learning experience aligns with California Common Core standards. Additionally, our bilingual English and Spanish coursework supports English Language Learners, ensuring all students can fully engage with and benefit from the program.
Exciting Beginnings with Desert Sands Unified School District
We are thrilled to begin our partnership with Desert Sands Unified School District this fall. At Dr. Carreon Academy, we are providing STEM programming for TK through 6th-grade students. Every 10 weeks, the groups rotate, with TK-Kindergarten students starting first, followed by 1st-3rd graders, and concluding with 4th-6th graders. The students have shown incredible enthusiasm as they dive into the world of engineering and physics, using creative and artistic techniques to enhance their learning experience.
A New Chapter with Ontario-Montclair School District
Our newest partnership with Ontario-Montclair School District began in Fall 2024, and we are already providing programming at three elementary sites, with plans to expand further. Students start with a snack and then dive into about an hour of STEM lessons before dismissal. This structure ensures that students remain energized and focused while engaging with STEM activities that inspire learning and exploration. We are particularly excited to launch a new format in which students will create a tri-fold post presentation of their engineering design process to present at the upcoming district STEM showcase.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to grow our ELO-P partnerships, we are excited about the opportunities to expand to new districts in 2025 such as Etiwanda Elementary School District and Newport-Costa Mesa School District. At STEM Center USA, we are committed to making STEM accessible, fun, and impactful for all students. By fostering curiosity and providing enriching experiences, we are paving the way for the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators. Together, we can inspire young minds and empower communities through the transformative power of STEM education.
Interested in bringing our STEM lessons to your ELO programming? Contact us at programs@stemcenterusa.com.
