Anna Cho is one of the engineer- ing team members participating in the graduate class called Hacking 4 Impact at University of California-Berkeley. According to Cho, “Our team is working on using Lean Startup methods to better understand the difficulties of implementing successful STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs in rural middle schools in Arizona.”
Hacking 4 Impact is designed to provide students the opportunity to learn how to work with non- profits and other organizations to better address emerging domestic challenges. Hacking 4 Impact is not a product incubator for a specific solution; instead, it provides teams with a deeper under- standing of selected problems and potential solutions that might be arrayed against them.
With limited knowledge on STEM education, Cho began seeking outside assistance to accommodate her class project. She stated, “My research for STEM information led me to Mount Olive Minis- tries’ STEM Program.” Cho immediately reached out to Tony C. Duckworth, Sr. to glean a wide range of STEM information.
Duckworth is the first to implement STEM education in Covington County. Since its inception in 2011, students participating in MOM’s STEM pro- gram have seen immediate academic impact and their academic scores have increased by two or more grade levels. All of MOM’s STEM students are high school graduates and enrolled in college. As a result, superintendents, principals, and teachers are seeking to partner with MOM’s STEM education program; Universities and Colleges have cemented their partnerships with MOM.
Duckworth assisted Cho with information regard- ing STEM start-ups, funding, recruiting students, community collaboration; identifying volunteers, program planning, target impact and maintaining student excitement. Before ending the conference call, Cho thanked Duckworth for his kindness to share his experiences freely with her. When Cho discovered that Duckworth would be speaking in San Jose, CA, she immediately extended an invitation for him to come and speak to her team in more depth concerning STEM education.
If you would like to support MOM’s STEM program, contact us.