While in elementary school, Madhumita Subbiah (17 | West Melbourne, Florida) did not have access to tutoring or classes that taught skills like keyboard typing, things that were commonplace for her peers who attended private schools and schools which had more resources at their disposal. Often, when students in under-resourced schools lack the same educational opportunities due to economic circumstances, they have lower testing scores, have fewer prospects for post-secondary education, and have fewer potential career paths. Believing in every student’s right to a comparable education, regardless of background or economic status, Madhumita created Brevard STEM Outreach in early 2023.

Brevard STEM Outreach, or BSO, strives to bridge the gap around access to STEAM-focused classes. Using hands-on learning and real-world application, BSO hosts afterschool workshops and summer camps for students in 3rd through 6th grade. Madhumita and her team of volunteers have conducted lessons on topics such as structural engineering (using marshmallows, spaghetti, and tape to build towers), DNA sequencing (understanding DNA models and proteins using licorice and gumdrops), and pedology or soil science (learning about soil composition and recreating soil layers with pudding, cookies, and graham crackers). Through BSO, Madhumita has already engaged over 200 students in STEM education. She hopes to inspire others to embark on similar initiatives that contribute to dismantling educational disparities and foster the same excitement she has for STEM in other youth around the country!