Local Club Representative Responsibilities
What is STEM YEA?
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Youth Explorer Academy is a four-day, three-night residential STEM experience held at Kutztown University. The 2027 Academy is for students who are 7th graders during the 2026–2027 school year.
Nominees should be students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to engage in a STEM experience on a college campus. Our aim is to inspire them toward future STEM courses and careers. All clubs in District 7430 may send participants.
What is included?
The Academy consists of STEM learning modules plus project and team-building activities. Daytime sessions are led by certified middle school science teachers, and students collaborate to build a model habitat on Mars. Every module is infused with Rotary's Areas of Focus.
Evening activities include CPR, First Aid, and Stop the Bleed training, alongside hands-on sessions led by Kutztown University professors.
Your Responsibilities
Work with local schools
- Provide schools with information about the STEM YEA program.
- Obtain the names of interested nominees from school personnel.
- Give registration information to the parents or guardians of nominees, and assist them through the registration process.
Provide contacts for fundraising
- Suggest individuals or businesses who could become sponsors or donors.
- Send those names to Gwenn Carr at program.manager@stemyea.com.
Recruit volunteers
- Find volunteers to help at the Academy — staying overnight, walking students between labs and the dining hall, and encouraging students as they collaborate.
- Share what volunteer duties involve so people know what they are signing up for.
- Direct volunteers to stemyea.com, where they click the Volunteer tab to complete and submit the volunteer form.
Keep your club informed
- Report STEM YEA updates back to your club regularly, so members stay interested and involved.