What is Be5 STEM Spark Lab?

Be5 STEM Spark Lab is a dynamic 12-week program designed to engage the youth in high-quality STEM learning experiences. Rooted in equity and inspired by the urgent need to close the skills gap in high-tech industries like semiconductors, this program bridges the disconnect between K-12 education and 21st century workforce demands. Each Saturday, young learners explore real-world challenges through hands-on and project-based workshops that integrate coding, 3D design, engineering, and electronics.

Our curriculum blends hands-on STEM challenges with guided exploration in electronics and circuitry. Students will engage in real-world problem-solving through themed projects that integrate science, math, ELA, and social studies. Each challenge includes a coding activity and a 3D design element to reinforce digital literacy and spatial reasoning. In addition, students will build foundational electronics skills by assembling simple circuits, experimenting with conductivity, and exploring smart technologies. These activities support understanding of essential physics and engineering concepts while exposing students to the kinds of technologies used in high-tech industries like robotics and semiconductors.

Why it Matters

Underrepresentation of marginalized groups in STEM is a result of systemic barriers in education. The high-tech workforce faces a critical shortage of qualified talent.

Be5 STEM Spark Lab responds to this gap by:

Offering early exposure to applied STEM concepts
Building foundational competencies in coding, circuitry, and design
Introducing emerging technologies like sensors and microcontrollers
Developing teamwork and critical soft skills
Fostering STEM identity and career awareness
Connecting learning to real-world innovation and careers

What Students Will Do

Students will tackle STEM challenges drawn from cross-curricular themes that combine science, math, ELA, and social studies with an engineering design focus. Each week features one or more of the following activities depending on the student’s skill level.

Activities

🔧 Hands-On STEM Challenge

Students will solve real-world problems using the engineering design process. These challenges are tied to cross-curricular themes (science, math, ELA, social studies) and require students to think critically, collaborate in teams, and prototype creative solutions.

Example: Design a bridge that can support weight using limited classroom materials.

⚡Wired Wonders Circuitry Lab

Using beginner-friendly electronics kits, students will build circuits, explore conductivity, and experiment with sensors and signals. These labs introduce key physics and engineering concepts while providing foundational exposure to technologies used in industries like robotics and smart devices.

Example: Build a light-sensitive alarm circuit that turns on when the room goes dark.

🔹 CODE:IT Activities

These are beginner-friendly coding challenges designed to reinforce the academic content of each STEM topic. Students use block-based programming (like Scratch) to create interactive games, stories, or simulations related to what they are learning in science, math, ELA, or social studies.

Example: Code a game where a character has to choose the correct environment to survive.

🔸 CREATE:IT Activities

These are design and prototyping challenges, often paired with 3D printing projects. Students use problem-solving and engineering design skills to invent, build, or model a physical product related to the lesson.

Example: Design and 3D-print a “citizen token” or badge to represent acts of community service.

🖨️ 3D Print Design Project

Students will bring their ideas to life using 3D modeling software and printers. Each project connects to the day’s lesson and encourages spatial reasoning, creativity, and design thinking.

Example: After learning about weather patterns, students design and print a custom weather symbol stamp.