When we taught our first STEM class to a group of Fiske elementary schoolers in the spring of 2018, we were far from realizing our passion for teaching. As sophomores at Wellesley High, none of us expected to spur curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM in the minds of young students. Instead, a need for volunteering hours, failed attempts at designing a mobile app, and a brief entrepreneurship class all nudged us to try flying paper airplanes and building spaghetti structures with children. 

In our after-school classes, at our Wellesley STEM Expo table, and at our summer workshop, we learned what catches the attention of Wellesley’s energetic and curious youth. For some students, it’s the wide variety of noises they can add to their online Scratch project. For others, it’s the excitement brought by their electrical circuit turning on a lightbulb. Whatever it is–in the true spirit of the iterative design process–we took note of it, grew out our lesson plans, and reentered the classroom more prepared than ever.

In the process of getting to know the kids we taught, we got to know each other. Some of us are older brothers, some of us can’t stop talking about STEM, and some of us were probably born to code. Bringing together our passion and intelligence, we grew Kickstart STEM–not only as teachers, but as leaders that seek to impact the Wellesley community.