Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators
STEM education for future leaders and creators.
Youth Outreach in STEM (YO-STEM) is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved students across the nation through hands-on STEM education. By fostering 21st-century skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving, we help students gain a competitive edge in the marketplace, build wealth, and make a positive impact on society. Through innovative programs such as Girls in STEM (gSTEM), STEM Saturday, and our co-ed Robotics club, we inspire students to explore STEM fields and gain real-world experience in projects ranging from 3D printing and coding to chemistry and engineering.
With over 3,000 students impacted, we’re committed to shaping the next generation of innovators and leaders.
Shaping the Future, One Mind at a Time
To inspire and equip the next generation of innovators and leaders through transformative STEM education, creating a future where every young mind has the skills and confidence to excel in a rapidly evolving world.
Empowering Tomorrow's Innovators
We empower youth through STEM education, equipping them with 21st-century skills and a competitive edge. Through hands-on learning and real-world engagement, we foster collaboration, accountability, and leadership to help them thrive in the modern marketplace.
EDUCATE. Develop 21st-century skills through comprehensive STEM education by offering diverse programs that cover a wide range of STEM concepts.
ENGAGE. Foster collaboration among students in STEM projects while teaching ownership through time management, accountability, and communication.
CREATE A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGAES. Empower students by engaging in high-level STEM activities and working alongside current STEM professionals.
Breaking Barriers: Empowering the Next Generation Through YO-STEM
In 2016, Candice Halbert, often the only woman and person of color in her STEM career, set out to change that by founding Girls in STEM (gSTEM). Her goal was to introduce middle school girls to STEM professionals, projects, and opportunities they typically wouldn’t encounter. With the help of women volunteers from ORNL, these girls engaged in hands-on experiments—ranging from coding and building hovercrafts to analyzing aspirin and growing bacteria from everyday surfaces—demonstrating the real-world impact of STEM careers.
Building on the success of gSTEM, Candice launched Youth Outreach in Science Technology Engineering and Math (YO-STEM), a nonprofit, in 2017. YO-STEM expanded opportunities to include boys and girls, with programs like the Build-a-Drone club at Vine Middle School, where students constructed, programmed, and piloted drones. As YO-STEM grew, this program evolved into Robotics and expanded to younger students with STEM Saturday programs, ensuring access to cutting-edge STEM education.
Today, with the support of community partners and sponsors, YO-STEM has reached over 3,000 students, 74% of whom are from minority backgrounds and 51% are girls. Our mission is to give students a competitive edge, preparing them to excel in the marketplace, build wealth, and create positive change in society.
