Creativity Meets STEM: A Glimpse Into the STEM Kit Team

We at STEMpathize have a passion for connecting the crossroads that lie between creativity and STEM education, and sharing that with our audience. The STEM Kit Team is an important piece in this process, creating hands-on projects that build on fundamental STEM-based topics to create accessible learning opportunities for students in the community. Among the innovative members of this team is Edwin Mu, a senior at Los Altos High School (LAHS)  and the founder of the LAHS STEMpathize chapter. “I initially joined STEMpathize because I wanted to combine my passion for STEM and volunteering.” he explains. “I’d dedicated many hours to peer tutoring at LAHS, but I also wanted to use my knowledge to have a greater impact.”

The STEM Kit Team works in “kit cycles,” each lasting three to four months. Members begin by proposing concepts and developing a curriculum. After carefully sourcing materials, each member builds about 50 kits. Once completed, the team shifts to outreach, contacting schools and libraries to distribute the kits. Edwin credits this stage with helping him grow professionally: “When I joined STEMpathize, I didn’t know how to write emails formally… now I can write emails effectively.” Among his favorite past projects is the earthquake-resistant structures kit, which reached students across the U.S., challenging them to create building designs out of clay and sticks that could hold a stack of pennies while resisting shaking.

Currently, the team is working on the BUILD Initiative, which aims to address issues in the kit-making process.

For anyone thinking of joining, this was what he had to say: “The STEM Kit team is a great place to let your creativity run wild… if you’re willing to learn, STEM Kit is an amazing place to grow.”