Early Learning Multnomah and four community-based partners, IRCO, Albina Head Start, NAYA, and P-3 SUN Schools co-created a second round of STEM kits to promote culturally specific, SIMPLE and developmentally appropriate ways to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math with young children.
Together, we developed kits for eight culturally specific communities in six languages. Each version of the kit is an authentic reflection of the African American, Arabic, Latino, Native American, Nepali, Russian (Slavic), Somali, and Vietnamese cultures. Showcasing children representative of each culture along with elevating prominent women and people of color working in STEM careers within each community.
We are grateful that Multnomah County Library donated 6,000 culturally specific books, to reflect children and their African American, Arabic, Latino, Native American, Nepali, Russian (Slavic), Somali, and Vietnamese cultures.
Nearly 3,000 STEM Kits have been delivered to our partners and our communities thanks to the help of UPS! Our work would not be made possible without the strong cross-departmental teamwork with Hands On Greater Portland and Resource Development at United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.
Design: Casey Minter
Design: Casey Minter
Building Community Through Volunteerism
The STEM Kits continue to be an incredible source of community building and engagement. In March, the Early Learning Multnomah team connected to build STEM Kits together. Since March, and through collaboration with Hands on Greater Portland and Resource Development, thousands of STEM Kit boxes have been assembled through numerous volunteer events.
After two years of distancing, there was an overwhelming excitement to create community through volunteer opportunities within United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, its corporate partners, and Hands on Greater Portland community volunteers.
Thank you to all our Corporate Partners and Community volunteers who helped us to the finish line, and we got reconnected in our work, our mission, and our community through STEM kits!
Corporate partners: WaFd Bank, PacificSource, JE Dunn, UPS
