The Digital STEM

Vital Stats

Victoria N

New York, NY

people helped15
People Doing It20

The Problem

The Digital STEM is expanding in Upper Manhattan, particularly Harlem and Washington Heights. Our goal is to empower underprivileged young women ages 10-14 who, otherwise, may not have the opportunity of exposure and support in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Digital STEM will accomplish its goals by teaching girls how to refurbish used computers, develop a basic website, utilize academic software, and become leaders in their own schools and communities. Each girl that is affected by The Digital STEM can also affect her neighborhood and our nation by closing the digital and knowledge divide, increasing diversity in the technical workforce, and creating a steady supply of recycled computers that are reused in low-income households as opposed to the millions sent to landfills.

Plan of Action

When I first began working on The Digital STEM, it was basically just me and my ideas with 10 different things I had to do at once. I would attend different pitching events and left each one feeling more overwhelmed. I did not realize how difficult I was making the process until a great mentor suggested that I build a team. So, I began recruiting my fellow engineering and applied science classmates to join me. The conversations I had prompted me to hone down my elevator pitch and instill the same sense of passion and drive to be involved with everyone I talk with. For the past three months, we have been doing more research, increasing our online presence, recruiting supporters, contacting partner organizations for needed supplies, and preparing to execute our pilot program on campus this school year.