Youth & Family Services (YFS) is excited to share that it has received a grant from the Les Paul Foundation to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programming within the organization’s Middle School Program.  

“We are delighted to have received this grant and are eager to see what the students will be able to learn and accomplish because of the support of the Les Paul Foundation,” shared Sharon Oney, YFS’ Chief Grants Officer.

YFS’ Middle School Program supports informal and academic learning through STEM activities, tutoring/homework help and academic mentoring, and a focus on entrepreneurship and career pathways. Students are encouraged to study STEM disciplines, gain a sense of belonging (STEM identity), and explore careers.

The program offers self-guided exploration in YFS’ technology lab and monthly instructor-facilitated special projects with a menu of courses aimed at engineering and fabrication, coding, robotics and automation, virtual reality, and aviation. Staff build on curricula provided by lab equipment vendors. Programming also includes field trips and shadowing activities in the local university and business community. YFS’ Middle School Program also supports parents in learning more about STEM opportunities for their youth through special events.

About the Les Paul Foundation

The Les Paul Foundation inspires innovative and creative thinking by sharing the legacy of Les Paul through support of music education, recording, innovation and medical research related to hearing. The Les Paul Foundation, an approved IRC 501(c) 3 organization has awarded over $4,000,000 to nonprofit organizations. For more information visit www.les-paul.com