AmeriCorps VISTA – Washington, DC/Maryland
LETS GO: Leadership Engineering Technology Generating Opportunities
About Us
Throughout our history, we’ve worked towards a single purpose: To break the cycle of poverty through STEM education and workforce development.
LETS GO Boys and Girls, Inc. (LETS GO) believes that all students are capable of great success; however, too many lack the resources and support necessary to understand STEM as a viable career option and persevere through rigorous STEM coursework.
In 2009, LETS GO was founded by Dr. Clark ‘Corky’ Graham, a retired naval officer and defense industry executive, when he delivered the first robotics class at Bates Boys and Girls Club in Annapolis, MD. He set out to increase the number of professionals in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) from underserved communities by engaging and supporting students through the STEM education pipeline, increasing equity (not just equality) of education.
In 2010, LETS GO was established as 501(c)(3) non-profit. LETS GO partners with schools and youth organizations in underserved communities who want to offer STEM education content and provides the materials, training, and support necessary to implement high quality STEM learning experiences. In the past decade, LETS GO has served over 7,000 K-12 students in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area by providing opportunities for them and and their families to explore STEM fields, increase their awareness of STEM careers, and foster the academic and workforce skills necessary to empower them to successfully enter the 21st century workforce.
Our Why
We believe that we can break the cycle of poverty, that STEM education can lead the way, and that intentional workforce development can lift individuals, families, neighborhoods, cities, and, ultimately, our nation to heights we never thought possible.
STEM & STEM Identity
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—STEM drives our economy in the information age.
Our lives are filled with STEM, from the design of our cars to the coding of smart phones. LETS GO recognizes the importance of engaging students in these subjects early and continuously. With endless real world applications, STEM activities help students engage in project-based learning in a team environment, develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, and practice collaboration and perseverance.
While there is a deficit of students from the United States entering STEM fields, the gap is most significant for minorities and women. To prepare our students to succeed in the STEM job market, we need to not only spark their interest in STEM, but also to offer the support and encouragement to persevere in a rigorous STEM education.
Here are some important statistics about STEM:
- 50% of the scientists in United States were not born in this country.
- 6% of entering 9th grade students graduate from a four-year college with a STEM degree but less than 3.5% of African American and Hispanic students achieve this goal. It is estimated that .5% of low income, minority students from inner cities graduate with a STEM degree at the Bachelors of Science level.
- African American and Hispanic minorities and women are underrepresented in the STEM fields by more than 100%.
- A graduate with a degree in engineering is likely to make $65,000 the first year. STEM fields have high salaries and low unemployment
STEM & STEM Identity
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—STEM drives our economy in the information age.
Our lives are filled with STEM, from the design of our cars to the coding of smart phones. LETS GO recognizes the importance of engaging students in these subjects early and continuously. With endless real world applications, STEM activities help students engage in project-based learning in a team environment, develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, and practice collaboration and perseverance.
While there is a deficit of students from the United States entering STEM fields, the gap is most significant for minorities and women. To prepare our students to succeed in the STEM job market, we need to not only spark their interest in STEM, but also to offer the support and encouragement to persevere in a rigorous STEM education.
Here are some important statistics about STEM:
- 50% of the scientists in United States were not born in this country.
- 6% of entering 9th grade students graduate from a four-year college with a STEM degree but less than 3.5% of African American and Hispanic students achieve this goal. It is estimated that .5% of low income, minority students from inner cities graduate with a STEM degree at the Bachelors of Science level.
- African American and Hispanic minorities and women are underrepresented in the STEM fields by more than 100%.
- A graduate with a degree in engineering is likely to make $65,000 the first year. STEM fields have high salaries and low unemployment
Our Approach
LETS GO partners with schools and youth organizations to establish high-quality, ‘hands on, minds on,’ STEM programs for youth in underserved communities. We provide effective capacity-building support to our partners through strategic planning, program coordination and evaluation, hands-on instructor workshops and coaching, volunteer training, curriculum selection, and ready-to use materials.
Core Values
LETS GO’s culture and actions are grounded in our core values
We have deep empathy and compassion for the students and families we serve.
We know that equity is required to enable our students to have equal opportunities for success.
We collaborate with other organizations to provide the holistic support needed by those we serve.
Our Mission
Break the cycle of poverty through STEM education and workforce development.
Our Vision
Students today – Technology leaders tomorrow.
More About Us
Interested in learning more about LETS GO? Meet our leaders, read about our 10-year history, or explore opportunities to join our team.
Get Involved
By equipping underserved youth in impoverished areas of Baltimore City and Washington, DC with STEM identities and workforce development skills, LETS GO Boys and Girls is making a sustainable impact to improve their lives, their economic outlook, and their communities.
Support our work by making a donation to LETS GO Boys and Girls, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Get Involved
By equipping underserved youth in impoverished areas of Baltimore City and Washington, DC with STEM identities and workforce development skills, LETS GO Boys and Girls is making a sustainable impact to improve their lives, their economic outlook, and their communities.
Support our work by making a donation to LETS GO Boys and Girls, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
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Headquarters
LETS GO Boys and Girls, Inc.
19 Harness Creek View Court
Annapolis, MD 21403
info@letsgoboysandgirls.com
The LETS GO Boys and Girls is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
EIN: 61-1612453