STEAM Summer Impact Lab

The STEAM Summer Impact Lab is an innovative four-week summer bridge program designed to prepare rising 8th and 9th grade students for academic success while increasing their exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).

Through a combination of academic enrichment, hands-on STEAM activities, career exploration, social-emotional learning, and project-based experiences, students strengthen critical skills while building the confidence needed to successfully transition into the next school year.

Program Focus

The STEAM Summer Impact Lab provides students with engaging learning experiences that connect academics with real-world applications. Programming focuses on:

• Science & Algebra Readiness – Strengthening foundational mathematics skills and preparing students for increasingly challenging coursework.
• STEAM Exploration – Introducing students to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through interactive, hands-on activities.
• Project-Based Learning – Giving students opportunities to collaborate, problem-solve, design, create, and apply what they learn.
• Career Exploration – Connecting STEAM concepts to careers, industries, and future educational pathways.
• Middle-to-High School Transition Readiness – Building the academic, organizational, and personal skills students need to successfully navigate their next grade level.
• Social-Emotional Development – Strengthening communication, teamwork, adaptability, confidence, and leadership.
• Field Trips – Providing students with opportunities to explore, learn, and expand their knowledge through engaging, hands-on field experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world environments.
• Student Capstone Projects – Allowing students to demonstrate their learning through student-led projects and presentations.

Program Goals

The STEAM Summer Impact Lab is designed to:

Increase Academic Readiness
Support measurable growth in mathematics and Algebra readiness through targeted academic instruction and enrichment.

Build STEAM Confidence
Increase students’ confidence and interest in STEAM subjects through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

Strengthen Transition Skills
Prepare rising 8th and 9th graders academically and socially for a successful transition into the upcoming school year.

Develop Future-Ready Skills
Strengthen critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and leadership.

Promote Student Achievement
Provide students with opportunities to complete and showcase meaningful STEAM projects that demonstrate their knowledge and growth.

The Summer Experience

Students participate in a dynamic summer learning environment that combines academic enrichment, STEAM career exploration, student-led project-based workshops, team-building activities, and experiential learning.

Rather than learning STEAM concepts only in the classroom, students have opportunities to explore, build, create, collaborate, and apply their skills to real-world challenges.

The program culminates in opportunities for students to showcase what they have learned and celebrate their accomplishments.

Who We Serve

The STEAM Summer Impact Lab serves rising 8th and 9th grade students in Broward County, with an emphasis on providing students with access to high-quality summer learning, academic enrichment, and STEAM exposure.

Our Impact

Program success is measured through student participation and growth in key areas, including:

• Program completion and attendance
• Math and Algebra readiness
• STEAM knowledge and confidence
• Successful completion of student capstone projects
• School-transition confidence
• Social-emotional skill development

Through the STEAM Summer Impact Lab, OIC of South Florida is helping students enter the next school year better prepared academically, more confident in their abilities, and more aware of the possibilities available through STEAM education and careers.

Powered by Partnership

The STEAM Summer Impact Lab is proudly funded by United Way of Broward County.

Through this investment, OIC of South Florida is able to provide students with meaningful summer learning experiences that help reduce summer learning loss, strengthen academic readiness, expand access to STEAM opportunities, and prepare young people for future academic and career success.

Faq:

This program is funded by: