New York Yankees STEM Scholars Program

 

Yankee Stadium. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees recently announced the creation of the New York Yankees STEM Scholars Program in partnership with STEM Educational Institute, Inc. 

This initiative aims to give underrepresented high school students in New York City the technological skills needed to enter today's workforce while building generational wealth.

It started on Monday, July 25, at Yankee Stadium, and it provides a one-week program that serves as a career bridge for high school students to enter STEM fields and college majors. 

When the summer program is completed, students will continue to learn and earn income through offsite monthly meetings, which put students on the path to earning a certification as a Data Analyst or Data Scientist.

During the summer program at Yankee Stadium, students are participating in an in-person curriculum that includes the following"

STEM and Coding Skills: Hands-on learning to solve real-world problems using the python coding language.

Generational Wealth and Future Goals: Students enroll in a 529 College Savings Plan with a scholarship from the New York Yankees. They also learn fundamental skills to prepare and save for college through a wealth management curriculum.

Mental Health Resources: Support for coping with COVID-19-induced stress, study strategies and stress management skills.

Baseball Analytics: Yankees baseball operations staff members have created a baseball-oriented education module to introduce baseball analytics applications for STEM skills.

Career Bridge and Financial Stability: The New York Yankees provide students a stipend to support their daily needs. This stipend allows students to focus on learning skills that can transfer into internships or full-time positions.

Brian Smith, Yankees Senior Vice President of Corporate/Community Relations, said in a statement, "The New York Yankees are committed to developing the next generation of STEM leaders and professionals, and we are proud to launch the NYY STEM Scholars program in conjunction with the STEM Educational Institute. Our annual commitment to this program will provide resources that empower and strengthen lives by promoting STEM expertise and financial literacy, which are such critical components to workplace success and long-term personal stability. We are also excited to reach underserved populations through this initiative and have a part in cultivating a diverse network of young STEM talent for opportunities at the New York Yankees and beyond."

The program concluded with a fundraiser at the Friday, July 29, Yankees game against the Kansas City Royals. For more information about the STEM Educational Institute, click here.

Nikisha Alcindor, President and Founder of STEM Educational Institute, said in a statement, "Only 30% of high-ability eighth graders from low-income families complete college, and our goal is to give underrepresented students the wealth management skills they need to succeed and introduce them to various STEM career opportunities through mentoring and scholarships. We are excited to partner with the New York Yankees as they continue their commitment to the surrounding communities. We sincerely appreciate the generous contributions and invaluable experience in data science that the New York Yankees have provided through the NYY STEM Scholarship Program."