STEM Santa Fe works to give underrepresented students access to science, technology, engineering and math education and resources, with the aim of promoting diversity and inclusion within STEM fields.
The nonprofit focuses on equipping 5th through 12th grade students from Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico with the skills and knowledge vital to success in science and math through educational programs, mentoring and other free resources.
Many students, especially girls, lose interest in STEM in middle school, said Dr. Lina Germann, founder and chief executive officer of STEM Santa Fe. The organization addresses this dilemma head on by supporting those students with mentors from their communities, giving them the self-confidence to take more challenging math and science classes. The ongoing support also helps increase the number of underrepresented gender and minority students entering college.
“We prioritize working with middle and high school students, particularly girls and nonbinary students, in our programs that start as early as fifth grade,” Germann said. “Research has shown that between ages 10 to 14, girls are at a sensitive age that can determine whether they decide to pursue STEM education. Therefore, we start early to give them the necessary support and inspiration to stick with it.” 
 STEM Santa Fe aims to bolster the formation of a diverse and inclusive STEM community for all of New Mexico. The organization’s curriculum is based on three pillars: project-based learning, hands-on learning and professional mentors. 
Fostering a supportive community of mentors and peers breaks down barriers and stereotypes that have kept girls and nonbinary students gravely marginalized from STEM fields.
“I founded STEM Santa Fe because I was looking for a productive avenue to channel my frustration with science and math education in New Mexico,” Germann said. “I wanted to create a sustainable organization for the community programs I spearheaded for years as a volunteer before STEM Santa Fe existed.”
While the STEM summer program largely concentrates on academic subjects such as math, engineering and science, it also equips students with valuable skills like communication and teamwork. A leading objective is to challenge misconceptions that STEM programs are dry and solely focused on academics. 
Projects include a “Roller Coasters, Engineering, and Fun with Physics” seminar, in which students apply the principles of physics, such as potential energy, kinetic energy, friction and gravity, to create roller coasters for marbles, and a "What Causes Wildfires?" seminar where students train as fire investigators and work to determine the cause of a blaze.
“By teaching communication skills, collaboration and problem-solving, our program prepares students for future success, regardless of whether they pursue STEM careers,” Germann said.

During weeklong summer sessions, STEM Santa Fe mentors and instructors use that focus on collaboration and teamwork to allow students to try different approaches to resolve an issue or answer a question. Students learn to convey their viewpoints effectively and use new vocabulary while collaboratively researching and designing their team’s project. 
Creativity is woven into the program’s core curricula, and art is incorporated into STEM projects. Take the program’s 2022 Laser Harp project, where Native American students from Santa Fe Indian School discovered how to work independently and cohesively by replicating the popular Laser Harp at Meow Wolf. The project combined the arts of music and designing with engineering science. With three lasers and an Arduino electronics board, students created a tabletop musical instrument that plays a tone when a laser beam is interrupted. 
Mentors who offer opportunities to explore STEM fields also encourage students to stay interested and engaged in their education. For example, in the STEM Scaffold Santa Fe @ Middle and High Schools Program, math and science majors from local colleges mentor students weekly and share their own college experiences. 
STEM Santa Fe offers both in-school and extracurricular programs. In-school programs include mentorship, in which mentors visit the school to work with students for several weeks, and math festivals, where teachers take select students to nearby colleges to increase their confidence and interest in math. For example, the 2022 Mathematics Festival, hosted by STEM Santa Fe and held at Santa Fe Community College, included 67 students from Carlos F. Vigil Middle School in Española. 
Extracurricular programs include a monthly STEM Pathways for Girls conference dedicated to girls and nonbinary students in 5th to 8th grade. The one-day conference for 100 to 150 students is enhanced by monthly workshops led by professional women in STEM. Volunteer STEM professionals, with the help of teachers and college students, teach the Summer STEM Circles Program.
 "When considering a seminar topic, the first piece is to find one that is exciting and interesting and hasn't been done before or that can potentially open up many new avenues for students,” Germann said. “I prefer implementing multi-disciplinary topics so that the emphasis is not solely on science." 
 Themes planned for this year include a deep dive into aviation and aerospace, with a highlight on professions such as aerospace engineers, pilots, aviation mechanics and air traffic controllers. 
Registration information: stemsantafe.org