A Legacy of Empowering Youth in STEM Through Science Fair
Program Highlights
Alexa Groff and her daughter Taylor Ommen at the 2024 National STEM Festival in Washington D.C.
Broadcom Foundation celebrates the integral role parents play in opening STEM pathways and fostering digital literacy.
Among the many parents and mentors in attendance at the National STEM Festival in Washington DC, was Alexa Groff, Iowa State Science Fair Director, a Broadcom Foundation sponsored fair. Alexa has firsthand knowledge about how parents inspire their kids to engage in STEM because the Groff family has an enduring legacy of engagement in science fairs, dating back to Alexa's grandfather who founded the Iowa State Science Fair in 1957. Alexa's father also contributed to science fairs such as STEM teacher, fair volunteer, fair board member, and Regional Fair Director.
Alexa's daughter, Taylor Ommen, has continued this unbroken line as a science fair participant in middle and high school and earning recognition as a 2024 National STEM Champion for her project focused on soil decomposition rates.
Both Alexa and Taylor express deep appreciation for the influence science fairs play in promoting STEM and student digital literacy. Taylor recalls her childhood experience at science fairs as a catalyst that fueled her passion for STEM.
Broadcom Foundation sponsors local, national, and international Science Fairs where parents play a pivotal role. Broadcom Foundation is sponsoring the National STEM Festival in Washington D.C. to bring a student to Washington DC with a parent or guardian.
Taylor's journey from science fair participant to National STEM Champion underscores the transformative impact of STEM education. Taylor's achievements were recognized at the National STEM Festival with offers for a summer internship, a scholarship, and funding for research and clinical trials, highlighting the vast opportunities available in STEM fields.
Alexa's pride in her daughter's achievement was palpable as the fourth generation to take a leadership role in STEM. She also recognizes that it is incumbent on the next generation of science fair participants to use coding in their projects.
She states, "My career is defined by a commitment to empowering youth through innovative and hands-on approaches, preparing them for a future where proficiency in coding is a fundamental skill."
Broadcom Foundation supports Science Fairs and advocates for young people to become creative STEM problem solvers who can think critically, communicate, collaborate, be persistent, and become experts in the digital world. With engagement and leadership from parents, mentors, and communities, young people will be supported in developing the necessary skills needed to compete for highly skilled jobs in emerging industries built on technologies of the future.
Broadcom Foundation characterizes digital literacy as the confident use of the full range of digital technologies, including some basic knowledge of coding. Coding enables young people to become creative STEM problem solvers who can think critically, communicate, collaborate, be persistent, and become experts in the digital world.
Broadcom Foundation encourages interested communities to tap into Raspberry Pi Foundation's CodeClub.org that offers free resources to help anyone learn how to code and teach basic coding. Visit the Projects site to get started. For information on starting a Code Club in your community, visit codeclub.org.
