During last semester, I was searching for opportunities to get involved in volunteering. Around the same time, I received an email from Viterbi Impact, a group that connects USC engineering students to volunteer opportunities through the Viterbi K-12 STEM Center and local community organizations. After doing a couple of one-off volunteering events, I met Noe Mora, the Service Learning Program Coordinator, and talked with him about finding a more regular volunteering opportunity. He directed me to the Viterbi K-12 STEM Center, which was looking for more volunteers.
Before making the Mars rovers, we made animals from the VEX GO kits to get familiar with the parts. This is a peacock some of the students made.
In high school, I was co-leader of a program called MathematiGals, which focused on encouraging 3rd and 4th grade girls to explore and pursue their STEM interests. We would create and teach fun math-related puzzles and games. The Viterbi K-12 STEM Center offers opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved in programs like the one I did in high school, that expand opportunities in STEM for youth, families, and schools in the greater LA area.
I applied and started volunteering with the Viterbi K-12 STEM Center’s Mission Science program, which brings inquiry-based science and engineering activities to elementary school students. I loved exploring science and math through programs when I was younger, and I love having the opportunity to provide those programs to other students. Every week, we teach a new engineering topic, like circuits, simple machines, or even building a mini Mars rover. I love getting the chance to teach lessons and spark new interest in STEM.
The K-12 STEM Center also offers programs like CS@SC Coding Camps, which teach computer science courses not typically covered in traditional curricula, and Engineering Transformer, which introduces kids to many different kinds of engineering. Their opportunities are available to elementary, middle, and high school students.
Viterbi Impact offers a lot of opportunities to get involved in the local community, and it’s been really rewarding to get involved.
