Evolution of District 7430 STEM YEA program

STEM YEA is a four‐day, three‐night residential STEM-focused Academy providing equitable opportunities for rising eighth-grade students. The Academy delves into intriguing STEM areas while inspiring and engaging the students. These young people and their parents may not otherwise have this opportunity. The program, sponsored by Rotary Clubs in District 7430, was held at Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA, from July 11 through 13, 2025. The theme was "Astrobiology: the Search for Life on Mars".

Fifty-six students registered for the fourth Academy, and fifty-four completed the four-day event. The 29 female and 27 male students attended 32 public and parochial middle schools. There were no accidents or injuries. Twenty-five District 7430 Rotary Clubs sponsored students for STEM YEA 2025. Students received STEM YEA tee shirts, backpacks, water bottles, lab manuals, drawing pencils, antimicrobial pens, and copies of the session manual. Dr. Michael Seidner led a special ceremony to present white lab coats to the students. Rotary pins were presented at the ceremony to be worn on the lab coats, accompanied by color-coded name badges.