Quality community-based informal STEM learning is inspiring, engaging, and impactful for young people; and youth who have these experiences over time before entering high school are more likely to go on to succeed in life and explore studies and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Unfortunately, the young people who stand to benefit the most from quality informal STEM learning opportunities are today pursuing STEM the least. Millions of youth - girls, African American, Latino and low-income - are missing out on the chance to explore, safely make mistakes, and learn from them to build for their futures.

Imagine Science-Omaha (IS-O) is a part of the national Imagine Science initiative. The focus of Imagine Science is to close the gap in STEM achievement by increasing the accessibility of high-quality STEM learning opportunities for underserved 4th to 8th grade youth in the Omaha Metropolitan Area by meeting them where they are: in their schools, in their neighborhoods, and at the organizations where they spend their time.

As a 4-H Educator in Douglas-Sarpy Counties and project manager for the Imagine Science-Omaha community, Tiffany Sessions will be speaking about some of the program areas in which she has been working to develop activities in efforts to reach more underserved youth. She will highlight how she has begun integrating STEM into some areas youths have shown interest in the Omaha community, including an award-winning civic engagement/project-based camp Build A Hut, fashion, and sports/e-sports. This discussion will be presented using an informal, conversational method as Tiffany is seeking to share current projects and brainstorm possible routes for enhancement of those offerings as well as discuss new innovative programs offered through BSE that may pique the interest of urban youth served.