Pratt Institute has been selected as one of 15 finalists for the US2020 STEM Coalition Challenge, a competition for communities across the United States to develop cross-sector partnerships and bridge the opportunity gap by bringing hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) mentoring and maker-centered learning to underrepresented youth. Eight winners, to be selected in spring 2018, will receive two years of financial, consulting, and staff support in order to implement the initiative.

Launched at the 2013 White House Science Fair, US2020 is building a community of committed companies, organizations, schools, government agencies, and cities, working to develop a STEM talent pipeline that has the strength and diversity to meet the challenges of the 21st-century. Pratt offers community-based and K-12 education through initiatives such as the Center for Art, Design, and Community Engagement K-12. Winning the challenge would support additional outreach to the Brooklyn K-12 school community and opportunities for STEM + Design programming.

Finalists will gather on January 31, 2018 for the STEM Collaboratory, a two-day workshop in Pittsburgh, PA, where they will be joined by STEM experts and creative community builders. The event will allow finalists to share, learn, and inspire one another to build local movements around STEM mentoring.

The STEM Coalition Challenge is supported by Arconic Foundation. Learn more about US2020 and the STEM Coalition Challenge.