In Vermont’s rural towns, students passionate about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) often face barriers to fully participating in robotics, coding, and other high-engagement STEM activities. Limited funding, long travel distances, and a shortage of adult mentors can prevent these programs from taking root—or from reaching students who would benefit most. 

The Vermont Academy of Science and Engineering (VASE) launched a first-ever pilot to provide stipends for STEM mentors to work with rural and underserved youth.  Mentors supported student robotics and drone teams that participated in statewide competitions.  The projects ranged from building inclusive robotics programming at Mill River Union High School to expanding coach capacity across three supervisory unions in southern

Vermont to starting entirely new robotics teams in Lyndon and Springfield.  The program is helping students build confidence, persistence, and critical thinking, particularly in communities where access to STEM enrichment can be inconsistent.

“STEM mentorship is confidence building, it's problem-solving. It's learning to be a successful human in an unfair and sometimes difficult world. It’s about learning why iteration is important. It’s about learning that failure is not where we stop, but what we learn from and motivate ourselves to keep going to succeed.” - Scott McCalla, Vermont FIRST Senior Mentor

Vermont Academy of Science and Engineering (VASE) developed and leads the STEM Mentor program in partnership with UVM’s College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences.

The sites funded by the 2024 grant include:

Mill River Union School

Enosburg Falls High School

Springfield High School

WNESU/TRSU/WCSU After-School Programs, Chester

Lyndon Institute