This organization was formed to close gaps for kids who are underserved and underrepresented in all things STEAM -science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. We didn't realize how quickly we would have to rise to the challenge. When we took these students to Charleston, they knew a little about what they were getting involved with. The parents and volunteers knew absolutely nothing! After meeting so many young people who think like them and mentors who willingly shared tips with them, this group of young people was even more motivated about why they chose STEAM. 

We made the difficult choice to compete as a community team when the school these students attend decided to explore a different option.  After NoMa STEAM spent months planning this trip to Charleston, a rather strange turn of events left us with a tough, last-minute decision to make. The board held an emergency meeting with the parents of the robotics team members. The attendees unanimously chose to forge on to support the children. With no school-based sponsor, the robotics team was forced to meet at an off-campus location. Luckily, a local building contractor donated space for the children to work and store their materials. Six parents stepped up to coach the team while two mentors from a local university volunteer their expertise in coding, electrical, and mechanics. 

These students are excited to be a part of this program. We took nine students to Charleston.  Since becoming a community team, the number of student participants has grown. More students are asking to join.  We now have fourteen members, and we are afraid we may have to turn some students away. Surprisingly, there are nearly twice as many girls than boys, but every single person on this team wants to pitch in and work.  

The reason we chose FIRST is because most of the students on the team are aspiring engineers. FIRST provides students with complex challenges that require  them  to apply STEM skills in  real-world contexts. The teams design life-sized robots for competitive games. The tools and  creative methods they explore can directly impact their future careers.  Who among us has never heard or asked the question, "Why are we learning this?"  or "How am I going to use this years from now?" Well, just recently one of the robotics mentors challenged the students to determine the height of the  arm they were designing based upon the desired reach and the angle  necessary to achieve an end goal. Five mathematicians gathered around a white board to determine the best approach at solving the problem before finally settling on the Pythagorean theorem to solve.  As a parent, it brings about unfathomable joy to see your child sit among their peers as they problem-solve, debate and deliberate together. It is a near-perfect example of what education and learning should be about. Students should be challenged and encouraged to  think beyond the textbook. 

The road ahead is not an easy one for the Coding Comets. We are literally starting from scratch. But one thing we have learned is that these young people are breaking through barriers that they do not even realize exist.  They are resilient, brave and determined. They have a group of supporters behind them that continue to push forward and seek avenues for them to succeed. Their dreams do matter. They matter. 

About the Authors. Amorita McClam is an Administrative Coordinator at USC School of Medicine. She has been helping mold children's lives since 1997 and has worked in the educational setting since 2012.  She is passionate about helping underserved and underrepresented students of color with unique gifts and talents shine their light for society. Dr. LeConte' Richardson Middleton is a career educator, wife and mother of four.  She is a hobby farmer, chicken keeper, blogger, freelance writer and certified professional coach who enjoys spending time in the garden and teaching others to grow and preserve their own food.