Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link Inc

Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link Inc. (SEM Link) is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization that was founded in 2005 by Tokiwa T. Smith in Atlanta, Georgia on the premise that exposure to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) community is critical to K-12 students pursuing STEM careers.  Hence, the organization being named SEM Link, because the essence of our work is connecting youth to the STEM community for youth to provide them with positive adult role models in STEM. Our programs and events increase students’ awareness of STEM Careers and encourage their participation in STEM Research through digital learning and hands-on activities.  Since the organization’s inception SEM Link through our programs and events over 500 STEM professionals have exposed over 15,000 youth to over 50 different STEM career paths as well as supported hundreds of young STEM research trainees.  

SEM Link’s mission is to strengthen the self-efficacy of K-12 students to pursue STEM careers by exposing them to positive adult role models from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) community that increase students' awareness of STEM careers and encourage their participation in STEM Research through digital learning and hands-on activities. Our vision statement is "unveiling potential through exposure".

Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link Inc. (SEM Link) has a two-core hybrid program model, Community STEM Program and Experimental Design Program, that provides K-12 students with digital learning opportunities and in-person programs and events in Metro Atlanta.   SEM Link’s programs increase K-12 students' awareness of STEM Careers and encourage participation in STEM research through digital learning and hands-on activities. 

Our Experimental Design Program teaches youth to read, write, do, and talk STEM through digital learning, group mentoring and social media. This program also supports young STEM Researchers and Innovators by providing judges for STEM competitions.  the program activities are:

• STEM Journal Club- This program aims to develop STEM communication and literacy skills for Metro Atlanta high school students from ethnic and racial communities with historically low participation in high-level STEM research competitions. Participants will engage in scholarly research, read, and analyze STEM literature (journals), and gain exposure to relevant concepts to spark their interest in STEM Research. The final project for the STEM Journal Club participants is the creation of a podcast episode based on a STEM journal article, which will be featured on our SEM Explained podcast. It is a hybrid program which has digital and in-person learning opportunities that take place from October through May.
• STEM Fair Judging (October-February) – SEM Link will recruit volunteers to serve as judges for school and district fairs. The recruitment process will start in October.  The judging at schools will take place in November and December and the district fairs in January and February.
• STEM Literacy Program
  • This goal of this program is to provide youth with opportunities to develop their STEM literacy skills through various literacy initiatives and programs which include donating culturally relevant STEM books to community spaces and STEM Literacy events in communities.

Our Community STEM Program focuses on providing STEM activities in community spaces, has digital and in-person learning opportunities that expose youth to STEM through career exploration, hands-on activities, and interactive demonstrations. This program's activities are:

• STEM at the Library-In partnership with the Fulton County Public Library, we host STEM events and programs at branches in South Fulton
• STEM Outreach with the Homeschool Families-In partnership with homeschool groups and micro schools, we host STEM programs and events to serve youth that are in non-traditional educational settings.
• Teen Science Café.   These workshops are for middle and high school students to introduce them to STEM Careers. The cafes take place in   informal settings where STEM professionals share their career journey & current work with students & engage them in hands-on activity or demo connected to their work. We host monthly cafes virtually and at the sites of selected community partners.**  
• Art Contest and Art Show- This is our annual event that provides an opportunity for youth who are interested in both STEM and Art to explore those interests by submitting artwork. The art contest takes place between December and February. The art show takes place in April, the artwork of the winners of the contest will be submitted in the show.
• Community STEM Program Special Events-These are special STEM events that take place in community spaces to engage youth in hands-on STEM activity that explore various STEM career paths/disciplines i.e. STEM and Basketball, National Chemistry Week, etc.