SEM Link Launches STEM Literacy Program

ATLANTA - July 30, 2021 - PRLog -- SEM Link's Experimental Design Program launched its STEM Literacy Program with recent funding from the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, a joint effort from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta.  SEM Link was awarded a $20,000 grant; one of the 15 grants awarded in June totaling $1 million to nonprofits focused on comprehensive summer learning opportunities. SEM Link's Experimental Design Program teaches youth to read, write, do, and talk STEM. The STEM Literacy Program focuses on reading STEM by encouraging youth to learn about STEM topics by perusing STEM books, graphic novels, and magazines.

The inaugural project of the STEM Literacy Program was a STEM summer learning program in South Fulton and the City of Atlanta. SEM Link partnered with Atlanta Public Schools and Fulton County Schools to bestow 13 elementary schools with a $300 donation to purchase STEM books for their school libraries.  To encourage summer reading, 132 students in grades K-4, at our partner school Stonewall Tell Elementary received 2-3 STEM books for their home library. We partnered with Avant Garde books to select culturally relevant STEM books for the students. "The project fosters and funds the use of STEM books which not only is the perfect way for students to develop literacy skills while learning STEM content, but also helps students make connections to their world by seeing themselves reflected in the curriculum." Stated Mrs. Nicole L. Ford, K-5 Science Specialist Fulton County Schools.

To address student learning loss because of the pandemic, the project provided youth in the Westview and West End neighborhoods of Atlanta with access to STEM books. SEM Link furnished the Jeffrey Mathis Free Community Library at The Ke'nekt Collective with 100 plus culturally relevant STEM books.  The book purchased from Brave and Kind Books span a variety of topics for literacy levels ranging from early readers to teens.  "The Ke'nekt Cooperative is excited to partner with SEM Link to support our efforts of providing the community with access to books. Our community is in a literary desert; this partnership is critical to the success of the youth in our community.  Making STEM books easily accessible to kids and teens develops their STEM literacy skills while nourishing their interests in STEM," states Ms. Kiyomi Rollins The Ke'nekt Collective Co-Founder.

For more information about SEM Link visit our website at https://www.semsuccess.org or email us at info@semsuccess.org.