Black and brown Americans have contributed significantly to advancements in math and science throughout U.S. history — from the creation of a durable carbon filament making incandescent lighting practical and affordable for consumers (Lewis Latimer) to blood plasma preservation that made blood banks possible (Dr. Charles Drew) to the development of the covid-19 vaccine (Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett). Alecia and Deirdre wondered what might be contributing to the decline they were seeing in Detroit.
They learned that children who were exposed to math and science between the ages of 10-13 were more likely to maintain an interest in the area of study. They learned that Black and brown students were more likely to remain engaged when lessons provide cross-functional hands-on learning merging science with the arts. “Science is all around us! We just need to share it in a way that’s engaging and fun again,” shared Deirdre. In 2016, Alecia and Deirdre developed Motor City STEAM to bring the fun, engaging, creative aspects of math and science to students in Detroit neighborhoods whose school systems might not have the resources to provide the full range of equipment and supplies for dynamic scientific inquiry and experimentation.
Alecia and Deirdre began by visiting schools and churches and eventually established their in-person programming at the East Side Ford Resource & Engagement Center (FREC). “We know that many school systems are overstretched and under-resourced,” explained Alecia. “We are more than willing to fill in that gap.” Motor City STEAM works directly with nearly 500 middle school students each year. The feedback and excitement from the students are all the proof these two chemists needed to know this experiment proved their hypothesis — that STEM and the Arts should be accessible to everyone.
Alecia and Deirdre, two proud chemists, make it a point to wear their white lab coats for every session. The kids are often surprised when these two women arrive, “you’re real scientists?!” one young girl said to them after her first session with Motor City STEAM. They recalled the same young girls’ teacher found her in the library holding a book and on the cover was a picture of a black woman wearing a white lab coat. The student held the book out and said, “I’m going to be like her. I’m going to be a scientist one day!”
To build on their progress and keep the work moving full steam ahead during the pandemic, Alecia and Deirdre developed the Lab Drawer, a STEAM ed-tech monthly subscription box available across the country to help get science into students’ hands at home. To support this Ford Fund community partner, visit Motor City STEAM and the Lab Drawer to learn more.
