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Linking Engineering to Life

Linking Engineering to Life works to eliminate barriers of participation by recruiting diverse youth and training afterschool program leaders on how best to include youth from a spectrum of economic, geographic, racial, and gender identities. Middle school girls and non-binary students have access to an exciting hands-on curriculum, including all materials and activities, as well as college-aged mentors who are currently studying a STEM topic.

Our Linking Engineering to Life Basics Engineering youth had a blast touring Beta Technologies’ Burlington airport facility and seeing firsthand the cool STEM opportunities that exist for them.

Youth standing in plane hangar.
Artwork inspired by the Beta plane
Youth learning the history of Beta Technologies.
Youth learning how electricity is generated.
Youth learning how Beta Technologies stores electricity in the batteries that fuel their plane.
Youth asking questions about Beta's prototype plane.
Youth wearing Beta Technologies hats.
Youth standing atop Beta Technologies' helipad.

LEL is offered as a BASICS engineering course (electrical, civil, environmental) in the fall and a BIOMEDICAL engineering course in the spring.

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 Basics starts the week of September 18, 2023
  • LEL Biomedical Engineering starts the week of January 22, 2024
  • You can choose Basics and/or Biomedical
  • Each program runs for 10 weeks, with 1.5-hour sessions per week
  • Three hours/week time commitment
 
   

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 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 BASICS engineering course in the fall and a BIOMEDICAL engineering course in the spring. 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 spring.

What Does Your Program Receive?
  • Engineering program for middle 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 January 22, 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 grades 5-8 starting the week of January 29 and ending the week of April 15.
  • One (or more) staff running the program.
  • Participate in a virtual training the week of January 22.
  • 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 youth in grades 5-8 are eligible to take part in LEL.

This application is due by 5:00 pm on January 10, 2024 but there are limited spaces available. 

Submit your program LEL application!