About

About STEMpowering Kids

Our Mission
STEMpowering Kids is a teen-led initiative founded in 2021 by lifelong friends Leena and Mahika. Driven by a shared passion for STEM and a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), they set out to make science, technology, engineering, and math accessible and exciting for younger students, especially those from underrepresented communities. Our mission is to foster curiosity, build confidence, and empower students through hands-on learning experiences, peer-led mentorship, and exposure to STEM role models who look like them. By providing exposure to relatable role models, we hope students can envision themselves in STEM careers and break down barriers to success in these fields.

Our Journey
With support from a grant by Bristol Myers Squibb, we have expanded our outreach across New Jersey and beyond. Partnering with organizations like the Girl Scouts of NJ, the Middletown Arts Center, the Teaneck School District, and the Second Street Youth Center (SSYC) in Plainfield, NJ, we’ve hosted STEM Days and our inaugural STEM Fair. These events empower students from grades 1-8 by simplifying complex STEM concepts through interactive activities. Students not only learn but are also empowered to publicly present their newfound knowledge to peers and adults, building their confidence in public speaking and leadership.

Our impact extends globally:

• Uganda: Collaborated with US4Girls and Forwardit Charity to fundraise for menstrual hygiene and health initiatives. We also conducted online seminars on body health and hygiene.
• India: Developed a STEM curriculum with Dharma Life and taught online classes for students in rural Bihar, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
• Mexico: Implemented a teen-led STEM camp model to bring hands-on learning and peer mentorship to students across the region.

Who We Serve
We aim to inspire and support students often left out of traditional STEM pathways, especially girls and students with learning differences like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. By connecting them with relatable role models and creating engaging, inclusive environments, we empower all students to see themselves as future STEM leaders.

Our Vision
STEMpowering Kids envisions a world where every child, regardless of their background or abilities, has the opportunity to explore, learn, and thrive in STEM. We aim to take students who were often behind in school or not particularly interested in STEM, sparking their curiosity and pushing them toward excellence. Our goal is not only to create a more innovative future but to help cultivate the next generation of Nobel Prize winners, astronauts, AI engineers, and more. Together, we are building a more inclusive and forward-thinking world and leveling the playing-field globally.