Full STEAM ahead: Youth program celebrates college-prep students

UC San Diego Extension’s leadership-oriented STE[+a]M program will hold evening graduation ceremonies for 17 young students Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Joe & Vi Jacobs Center’s Celebration Hall.

Presented under the banner of “Full STEAM Ahead,” the free summer youth program focused on encouraging civic engagement, leadership, learning, and career/education preparedness.

The program is part of a larger strategy led by UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla to connect with diverse communities and establish closer academic ties with the university.

STE[+a]M™, a trademark of UC San Diego Extension, is based on the use of both sides of the brain, where convergent and divergent thinking come together. Simply put, it's the inclusion of Arts (+a) with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

 Ed Abeyta

Each of the students, currently in grades 9 through 12 and in good academic standing, reside in the Southeastern section of San Diego (District 4).

“These young people have devoted five weeks of their summer to learn more about potential career paths in science, technology, engineering, art, design, and math,” said Ed Abeyta, director of Extension’s K-16 programs which oversees STE[+a]M.

“For their hard work and commitment, they earned pre-college credit along with a greater appreciation for their value as future community leaders.”

Using a blend of digital technologies and hands-on activities, students were taught how to directly contribute to the betterment of their community in various ways.

Course topics included leadership, sustainability, mobile app development, green technology, community development, data mapping, video blogging, and community history.

Funded by SDG&E’s “Inspiring Future Leaders” grant, the program also delved into the historical and cultural richness of southeastern San Diego.

Program co-presenters included the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, Diamond Leadership Group and Project New Village. Program sites included Joe & Vi Jacobs Center, Project New Hope, and Mt. Hope Community Garden – all located in District 4 communities.