“The Fleet’s service and relationship with our school district has had a tremendous impact on our entire San Ysidro Community. Our district is one that has lacked STEM opportunities for our students, who are from historically disadvantaged backgrounds…Personally, I am grateful to the Fleet for always showing me that they have our community’s interests at heart, and that they will work hard to bring science to life for our students."
- Elva De Baca
Lead Sci-Phy Teacher
San Ysidro School District
As the 2021-22 school year began, Elva had been teaching in San Ysidro for 30 years and dreaming about doing something to get students excited about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). She wanted to bring science to life in her district where more than 78% of students are eligible for the free or reduced-price meal program and almost 22% are homeless.
She wasn’t alone. The San Ysidro STEM Taskforce, a neighborhood network the Fleet Science Center helped establish, also knew that achievement scores had dropped due to the pandemic disruptions and that teachers were challenged help students recover from the learning loss. Data indicated that the issues were worse among students with socio-economic challenges. The Taskforce already was working to connect students to in-school and after-school STEM programs, but they knew they could make an even more significant difference by engaging parents and families, as well.
Elva and Yanet Lopez, the Fleet’s Community Engagement Manager, met through the SY STEM Taskforce. They reached out to partner organizations and to teachers in the San Ysidro Sci-Phy program, who all worked together to create the first San Ysidro STEM Fair on May 13, 2022.
The San Ysidro STEM Fair was a huge success. Families lined up down the street, waiting for it to open. All day, children and adults enjoyed hands-on STEM activities from 12 partner organizations. In addition, organizations like SBCS, Casa Familiar and San Ysidro Health Center participated and connected families to resources. Elva and the teachers from the San Ysidro School District were thrilled with the turn out. They were excited to see the kids engaged in hand-on STEM activities and very grateful to the SY STEM Taskforce and the Fleet Science Center for their efforts to bring the community together.
Thanks to the support of our members and donors, the Fleet Science Center works in San Ysidro and five other communities year-round. A trusted partner, the Fleet leverages our access to scientists and STEM organizations to meet community needs. We are committed to working with dedicated and visionary community members like Elva to connect everyone to the power of science.
“I now feel very supported and confident that with the Fleet by our side we can continue to grow our STEM program in San Ysidro and that our families will continue to experience science in their lives.”
– Elva De Baca
