LEL is offered as a BIOMEDICAL engineering course in the fall as a cohort model, as well as a BASICS engineering course (electrical, civil, environmental) offered as an on-demand model. The BIOMEDICAL course entails supporting an afterschool site once a week for 10 weeks in the fall. The BASICS course would be based on your interest and availability to work with an afterschool site whenever they are running the BASICS course.

As a mentor, you will:

• Guide youth in age-appropriate engineering challenges using the engineering design process
• Instill the practices of an engineering mindset
• Facilitate conversations about equity and inclusion for women in engineering
• Expand your communication and leadership skills
• Be virtual, in-person, or hybrid

What to know:

• LEL BIOMEDICAL starts the week of September 16, 2024
• You can participate in BIOMEDICAL and/or choose to be put on a list for BASICS
• BIOMEDICAL runs for 10 weeks, with 1.5-hour sessions per week
• Three hours/week time commitment
• BASICS would consist of whatever schedule you agree to with the afterschool site you’re working with.

Sign up to become a STEM mentor!

Thanks to the support of STEM Next, Vermont Afterschool has developed Linking Engineering to Life aimed specifically at middle and elementary school girls and non-binary youth who have historically been underrepresented in STEM fields as part of the Million Girls Moonshot initiative.

LEL is offered as a BIOMEDICAL engineering course in the fall as well as a BASICS engineering course offered as an on-demand model to run whenever you choose. BASICS focuses on all different aspects of engineering (i.e., electrical, civil, environmental) and BIOMEDICAL focuses on biomedical engineering, with activities such as creating a prosthetic device for your leg. This application is for LEL BIOMED this FALL.

What Does Your Program Receive for LEL BIOMEDICAL?

• Engineering program for middle and elementary school girls and non-binary youth
• Full guidebook
• Program materials kit
• 1-3 college student mentors from UVM, Norwich, or VTC to lead the program (most will be virtual with some being in person depending on the distance)
• Training for staff and mentors the week of September 16, 2024
• Guest speakers (female engineering professionals) coming in to speak with the girls and bring in career exploration aspects

What Are the Requirements?

• Run a 10-week engineering program (90 minutes once per week) at your afterschool site(s) for girls and non-binary youth in upper elementary and middle school starting the week of September 23 and ending the week of December 2.
• One (or more) staff running the program.
• Participate in a virtual training the week of September 16.
• Support your college student mentors and communicate regularly.
• Collect photos of youth engaged in the program and share with Vermont Afterschool; ensuring that youth in any photos have a completed VA photo release form.
• Create a video of youth and participate in the end of the program showcase.
• Participate in program evaluation and outcomes reporting.

Who is Eligible?

Afterschool and out-of-school time programs serving upper elementary and middle school youth are eligible to take part in LEL.

This application is due by 5:00 pm on September 6, 2024 but there are limited spaces available. 

If you are interested in running LEL BASICS, it does come with a full guidebook and materials list, but it does not come with a materials kit, there is no cohort, and the training is not live. You can still get support and coaching from Vermont Afterschool if needed. You also have the flexibility to run your own schedule and contact mentors and guest speakers from our list of previous mentors and guest speakers. For more information, please contact Katie O’Shea.

Submit your program LEL application!