SPIN Student Stories: Get to Know Jie Ying!

Where Curiosity Found Confidence: Jie Ying’s STEM Story

When Jie Ying first joined SPIN as a seventh grader learning from home during the pandemic, she was isolated from friends and hungry for connection. SPIN stepped in with virtual STEM learning, giving her a space to explore coding, 3D design, and teamwork for the first time.

At the time, she imagined becoming an English teacher. After joining SPIN Girls (now SPIN Forward), her curiosity grew—and so did her confidence. Three years of hands-on projects, from biomimicry to food science, helped her discover she was good at math, loved problem-solving, and could see herself making a real impact through science.

Photo: Jie Ying and friends Sophia and Ximena at SPIN Fellows event.

Today, Jie Ying is a senior at Kentridge High School, a Running Start student at Green River College, a SPIN Fellow, and SPIN’s 9th Grade Cohort Lead. She plans to pursue pre-medicine at the University of Washington and dreams of becoming a family doctor serving immigrant and under-resourced communities.

Jie Ying at Lab Day after teaching her food science curriculum to her 9th-grade cohort.

SPIN didn’t just introduce her to STEM—it strengthened her voice. Once shy and afraid of public speaking, she now mentors younger students, helping them build confidence and curiosity of their own. She credits SPIN’s mentors for shaping her path, opening doors, and showing her what leadership can look like.

Having experienced the gap in learning opportunities after moving to South King County, she knows how essential free STEM programs are.

“SPIN creates a safe space where we can try new things, make mistakes, and still know we’ll be supported,” she says.

When young people like Jie Ying are encouraged to be bold and curious, they don’t just build futures—they strengthen communities.

“I want to see more STEM access in South King County,” she says. “SPIN is one of the only programs opening those doors.”

That’s why she hopes donors will see the value in keeping SPIN programs free. Your support helps make that possible, keeping our programs accessible to all youth.