Kuma Foundation Brochure

ALL KIDS DESERVE A CHANCE AT A HIGH-TECH FUTURE.

OUR MISSION STEAM education—science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics—has become a national priority with good reason. STEAM careers are among the fastest-growing and highest-paying jobs in America, and in the next decade, nearly 80 percent of all new jobs created nationwide will require STEAM skills, like critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, perseverance, experimentation and teamwork. Moreover, according to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, the U.S will be short 1 million needed STEAM professionals by 2022.

Unfortunately, though, there are significant gender, racial and socioeconomic gaps in STEAM. And as the nation prepares students for a more technological future, we must ensure that all students are prepared for the future workforce. At the KUMA Foundation, we are committed to ensuring that all students—regardless of gender, race or zip code—have access to essential STEAM skills. Our programs are designed to empower kids with the tools they’ll need to succeed in the 21st century. We believe that all kids deserve a chance at a high-tech future.

OUR PROGRAMS At the KUMA Foundation, we are committed to narrowing the achievement gap by empowering kids with the tools they’ll need to succeed in the 21st century. We offer programs for underprivileged and underserved kids in elementary school, middle school, high school, and beyond, because all kids deserve the chance at a high tech future. Our programs are free and include STEAM clubs for 4-8th graders, Career Exploration programs that introduce middle schoolers to a wide variety of STEAM careers, Summer Internships in STEAM-related companies for high school Juniors and Seniors, STEAM scholarship opportunities for high school Seniors, a Mentorship Program for young adults, and Technology Safety training to teach vulnerable populations how to use technology safely and effectively.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STEAM PROGRAM We believe that all kids deserve a high-tech future, but lowincome students lack access to STEAM exposure, education, and enrichment, severely limiting their ability to compete in a 21st century workforce. In fact, the science and mathematics achievement gaps along socioeconomic lines have widened substantially in the last 20 years. But we can narrow that gap.

Evidence shows that participation in STEAM-focused programs leads to significant, positive changes in students’ attitudes and outcomes. That’s why we offer free STEAM Clubs to lowincome and underrepresented students.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAM At the Kuma Foundation, we believe that if kids can see it, they can dream it, and if they can dream it, they can achieve it. That’s why our Career Exploration Program introduces low-income and underrepresented students to a wide variety of STEAM careers. Our program exposes students to the work-world they will one day enter, broadens their knowledge of career options, and motivates them to pursue the skills they need for their future.

HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER INTERNSHIP/APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM The Kuma Foundation coordinates part-time Summer internships and apprenticeships for high school Juniors and Seniors who show an interest and aptitude in STEAM subjects with companies and professionals in the STEAM space. We pair students with internships and apprenticeships based on the interests of the intern and the needs of the sponsoring company.

HIGH SCHOOL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM We believe in the power of relationships to transform lives. Our Mentorship Program offers bi-weekly 1:1 mentoring for high school students. Trained mentors spend 1 hour (virtually or otherwise) every other week, for 3 months (minimum) to inspire, support and motivate their mentee, as well as raise their aspirations and encourage them to achieve their career goals.

KUMA STEAM SCHOLARSHIP The Kuma Foundation offers a $5000 scholarship to a highschool senior who submits a video of himself/ herself explaining a STEAM topic he/she is passionate about. Videos should be 3-5 minutes in length, clear, creative, accurate and demonstrate a passion for the subject. An advisory board made up of diverse STEAM professionals reviews applications and selects finalists. Finalists are then asked to submit additional materials. The winner will be announced in April.

Watch this page for application information.

TECHNOLOGY SAFETY PROGRAM The Kuma Foundation, in partnership with Kuma LLC, offers online security/ data privacy trainings for vulnerable populations, including 4-8th graders, high schoolers, and immigrants & refugees. Trainings teach participants how to use technology safely and effectively.

CREATING SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS The Kuma Foundation knows that hungry, homeless, cold kids can’t learn. That’s why we have special programs to support to families in need on an ad-hoc basis.

Watch this page for application updates.

(833) 586-2674 www.kumacares.org sally.crockett@kumacares.org

The Kuma Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that works to narrow the achievement gap by empowering kids with the tools they'll need to succeed in the 21st century.