Cultivando Conexiones – Developing Leadership, Technology Skills and Community Placemaking Capacity with Youth
A Milwaukee-based youth development program that aims to address inequities in STEM education and the STEM opportunity gap in Milwaukee, broaden youth participation for underrepresented communities in STEM, and develop a talented future workforce.
This program is built upon collaborations between UW-Madison’s Division of Extension and community partners Milwaukee Christian Center and TransCenter for Youth, Inc. The project is funded by a USDA CYFAR grant.
About the Program
Cultivando Conexiones integrates youth-driven community placemaking and design, STEM programming, garden education, and career exploration.
- Community Placemaking and Design:
Youth will participate in design charrettes to create solutions to community problems, become an active voice in their community, and gain leadership skills.
- STEM Programming:
STEM and DOTS programming will allow youth to form ecological connections supported by scientific inquiry, data collection, and story mapping.
- Garden Education:
Youth will become the primary caretakers of garden sites to learn how to cultivate, harvest, and maintain spaces to produce fresh, local, and healthy food. Garden stewardship will teach skills in ecology, basic construction, food nutrition and preparation, and community placemaking.
- Career Exploration:
Youth will be introduced to different career paths through adult mentorship and by co-creating program content based on their identified interests.
Learn more at this link or through the StoryMap below.
Email Justin Hougham (justin.hougham@wisc.edu) for more program information.
