WHO WE ARESTEM Generation addresses disparities in STEM educational access for students ranging from grades 3 to 12.Our organization has a vision of building a diverse pipeline of future STEM leaders. We hold the belief that every student, regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic background, possesses the potential required to excel as leaders and innovators in STEM fields.By empowering students to develop their 21st Century Leadership Skills and STEM identities through high-quality STEM educational experiences, youth who identify as female, black, or brown, or come from socioeconomically-disadvantaged communities, will be more prepared to THE PROBLEMChildren facing socioeconomic hardship:* Experience fewer hand-on STEM projects.* Score significantly lower in school.* Are less likely to identify as STEM-capable.OUR SOLUTIONDiverse STEM Stories: Choosing a STEM path and Diverse STEM Stories:Near-peer journeys leadership development programsEngage students from schools with 50% or greater free/reduced lunch enrollment in a 50 minute conversation with a diversely represented STEM professional or university leader. As part of the program, lessons are provided to educators to help prepare students for the interaction.Through open conversations with the STEM professional or university leader,students learn about diversity in the STEM field, and the journey to success as a diverse STEM professional. This engagement opportunity, allows studentsto identify with minority, professional role models, and make connections that will challenge their ideas of what a STEM leader looks like.