What is SPIN Connect?
SPIN Connect brings together STEM professionals from across King County and elementary students to cultivate enriching and meaningful career exploration experiences. The program enhances elementary school STEM curricula, exposes kids to diverse careers at an early age, and provides rich volunteer experiences for professionals who are passionate about diversifying and improving access to their fields. Our school partners are primarily Title 1 schools where students from low-income families make up at least 40% of the school community.
SPIN Connect breaks down the barriers that communities of color and women face in STEM and shapes a more inclusive future for the industry. Students discover their strengths and passions and are inspired to learn more about STEM as they move through their education.
The Opportunity
Teachers in Title 1 Seattle elementary schools have the opportunity to invite a working professional into their classroom and engage students in hands-on learning about STEM-related fields. SPIN staff work closely with the volunteer professionals to design accessible and youth-friendly workshops that include a hands-on activity.
Rather than simply hearing STEM professionals talk about their jobs, students learn a skill or concept by doing a project related to that STEM field and imagine themselves in these roles.
The Program
SPIN has developed its first workshop with the Identity team at Microsoft. This workshop has been conducted both in person and virtually. Along with SPIN Connect workshops, SPIN is gathering short videos about what a career in STEM can be like.
SPIN has partnered with real people working in real STEM jobs across our region. Explore these career connections and hear about the three best things about these jobs!