The Da Vinci Science Center STEAM Career Pathways Program is a branch of the comprehensive initiative that engages students in grades 6-12 with fields that will address the challenge of advancing educational attainment and employment opportunities for groups traditionally underrepresented in STEAM careers in the Lehigh Valley.
Career Pathways:
Each session consists of hands-on science learning and career readiness discussions.
To complete the program, students will:
The Allentown School District, Easton Boys and Girls Club, higher educational institutions, and local employers are collaborating with Da Vinci Science Center to design the STEAM Career Pathways Program.
Employer partners will provide guest speakers, shadowing, and/or paid internship opportunities.
Potential employer partners include ATAS International, Inc., B Braun, Evonik, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Mack Trucks, Olympus, Miller-Keystone Blood Center, and PPL Corporation.
The following organizations have been involved as guest speakers in the pilot phase of the program, which operated from spring ‘23 – spring ‘24: Just Born, Inc., Crayola, B Braun, Noah Basketball, Soundlabz LLC
Currently, this program is only for Allentown School District students and students attending the Boys & Girls Club of Easton. For more information, please contact careerpathways@nulldavincisciencecenter.org.
We’re always looking for more employer partners to provide guest speakers, shadowing opportunities, and/or paid internship opportunities.
Please contact careerpathways@nulldavincisciencecenter.org to learn more.
Da Vinci Science Center is pivotal in the Lehigh Valley’s career readiness ecosystem through its STEAM Career Pathways Certificate Program. Aimed at enhancing STEAM and job-readiness skills among youth in neighborhoods and school districts where incomes are disproportionally below the federal poverty level, the Science Center acts as a crucial bridge connecting students, families, and educators – with businesses and community partners. Fostering a supportive community ecosystem surrounding STEAM careers addresses the dual needs of students seeking careers and employers requiring skilled labor. This initiative not only positions Da Vinci Science Center as a leader in STEAM education but also strengthens the region’s economic vitality by making education and employment opportunities accessible to all, ensuring community-wide success and sustainability.
Community engagement is a Da Vinci Science Center core value to ensure program access, reach, and relevance. The STEAM Career Pathways program has been co-created with key stakeholders, and continuous learning and feedback are sought.
A Community Science Advisory Committee and Student Advisory Committee provide ongoing feedback.
