“The STEM Pathways Project: Empower to Connect”
2022 – 2025
The STEM Community Leaders (SCL) program was established in 2017 with an inaugural seed grant from the Counselling Foundation of Canada. The program provides youth (grades 8 to 12) from low-income and marginalized communities with access to immersive STEM-based experiential learning opportunities, leadership development and community engagement. Since its inception the program has engaged over 138 youth from over 10 different communities.
The STEM Pathways Project: Empower to Connect project will engage youth ages 13 to 25. This initiative builds off of the successes of the STEM Leaders program but also meets the growing demand of providing youth with tangible pathways to career success and attainment through practical and consistent development. Youth will benefit from increased awareness of STEM opportunities, improved career development, readiness and attainment and increased social capital.
Highlights of this work include 100% of Empower school-year participants gaining confidence in STEM persistence and 91% of Launch participants identifying as capable STEM contributors.
Through hands-on learning, resource sharing, internships and professional mentorship, the project achieved significant growth in career awareness (up to 88.4%) and collaborative skills (up to 90.7%). By fostering a stronger sense of belonging among nearly 90% of participants, the program effectively bridges the gap between classroom learning and professional STEM success. In addition, 85% of Connect participants reported improving their sense of belonging in STEM
Beyond skills and knowledge, the programs strengthened career development and readiness by providing hands-on exposure to STEM fields, mentorship opportunities, and real-world applications that broadened participants’ understanding of potential pathways. These experiences also increased social capital, connecting youth with professionals, peers, and community partners in meaningful ways.
A few key insights from this work:
- Building on insights from prior reporting periods, we have confirmed that monthly programming is insufficient to support continuity and sustained academic progress for youth participants. Shifting to bi-weekly and weekly touch points has fostered stronger relationships, increased accountability, and created a more consistent support system. During these sessions, youth consistently identified academic needs, highlighting the importance of integrating structured academic supports, including dedicated homework time, study skills development, and high school course guidance, directly into programming. This intentional integration has not only enhanced youth engagement but also demonstrated the tangible value of the program in supporting academic growth.
- One of the greatest strengths of our program is the ecosystem we have intentionally built to develop confident, persistent STEM leaders who return to work with us and reinvest in the communities they grew up in. This is a full circle pipeline and not just a single intervention. We see youth enter as learners and grow into professionals who reflect the communities we serve and model what is possible for the next generation. This ecosystem is strengthened by our grassroots approach, which recognizes that youth success does not happen in isolation. By actively engaging caregivers, educators, and community partners, we create shared ownership of student outcomes and embed hands-on, equity-driven STEM learning into the broader community fabric. As a result, youth consistently build confidence, persistence, and leadership, see themselves as capable contributors in STEM spaces, and gain the momentum needed to pursue meaningful educational and career pathways.
- For another organization looking to work with a similar population, particularly new immigrants or equity-deserving youth, a few key approaches can make a meaningful difference. Investing time in relationship building and trust before expecting strong engagement is essential, recognizing that connection is the foundation for participation. Programming should be culturally responsive, flexible, and reflective of youths’ lived experiences. Additionally, early partnerships with local community organizations, schools, and settlement agencies are critical for understanding regional needs, coordinating resources effectively, and ensuring that programming complements rather than duplicates existing services. These partnerships also provide insight into community priorities, help identify gaps in support, and foster opportunities for shared learning and collaboration, strengthening the overall ecosystem of support for youth. Maintaining consistent communication with youth and families also builds program reliability and accountability. Lastly, beginning with small-scale implementation and continuous feedback allows programs to refine their approach, adapt to emerging needs, and grow sustainably while maximizing positive outcomes for the youth they serve.
About Visions of Science Network for Learning
Visions of Science Network for Learning Inc. (VoSNL) is a charitable organization that aims to advance the educational achievements and career aspirations of youth from low-income and marginalized communities through meaningful engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields and research.