Uplift Inc

Immerse DC Youth in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Help them build mobile apps, animations, and robots from scratch!

Overview

Uplift, Inc. works with students, parents, teachers, and local nonprofit organizations to encourage, motivate, and educate youth in the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Many students passionately work on STEM projects throughout the year leading to a strong desire to learn more and even major in these subjects in college.

Mission

Uplift, Inc. guides students through innovative educational experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Major Accomplishments

Uplift has achieved several major accomplishments. Programmatically, Uplift created Myles & Ayesha in 2009, two African-American cartoon characters used to teach basic STEM concepts and guide student learning. Uplift's middle school robotics team won 1st place in both robot design and robot performance in the 2010 VA/DC First Lego League Robotics Competition. In 2011, Uplift completed Youth APPLab, a pilot project teaching 22 students mobile app development. Outcomes of this project included the creation of 30+ mobile applications and two students forming their own mobile app development company.

Organizationally, Uplift won the 2010 MacArthur Foundation's Digital Media & Learning Competition, an international competition attracting more than 800 applicants, for the design of Youth APPLab. In 2011, the organization received recognition from Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission; the Congressional Black Caucus; as well as Black Enterprise Television [watch videoclip] and Magazine.

Our classes include:

• Computer Programming : how to write instructions that the computer follows; 
• Mobile Application (app) Development (Youth APPLab): how to design, develop, and test computer programs that run on mobile devices;
• Game Creation: how to conceptualizing games starting with settings, mechanics, and components; and
• Robotics (Robotics in DC): how to use Lego (and other) Robotics kits to build interactive devices made of sensors, gears, and pulleys.

 

Future classes include (coming very soon):

• Electronics
• Mathematics
• Animation
• 3D Modeling

 

Issue Addressed

In 2010, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology reported that less than one-third of eighth graders in the US are considered proficient in math and science, this same percentage for African-American students is 12%. This is more than an academic problem; it dramatically limits career choices and future economic stability for today’s youth.

Our Approach

Uplift strives to address this problem by engaging students of color through out-of-school time activities that teach core STEM concepts. To help students excel in STEM, our strategy is to offer culturally relevant, innovative, and engaging educational experiences based on students’ interests and community issues. Our custom designed curricula also features team and group activities, competitions, guest speakers and interactive demonstrations, field trips, and internships.

Thanks for your time and attention!

-Team Uplift

#give2max