4 ORGS · 96 ACTIVITIES ← all strategies ·
theory of action →

Engagement Through Relevant Pedagogy

By using culturally resonant, interactive, and student-centered teaching methods, organizations increase STEM and computer science engagement and learning outcomes among underrepresented youth, because these approaches reduce psychological barriers, foster identification with the subject, and make abstract concepts accessible and meaningful. This strategy centers on redesigning how STEM and computer science education is delivered—not just what is taught—by prioritizing engagement through relevance, interactivity, and identity affirmation. It unites diverse tactics like gaming, edutainment, role modeling, project-based learning, and blended instruction under a shared belief that marginalized learners are more likely to persist in STEM when pedagogy reflects their experiences, interests, and learning contexts. Unlike traditional or purely content-focused approaches, this strategy treats motivation and identity as critical components of academic success.

4
orgs running it
96
activities of those orgs
12
clusters touched
who runs it

organizations running this strategy · 4

what it looks like in practice

activities of orgs running this strategy

A sample of programmatic activities from the orgs above. These are what the strategy looks like on the ground.

  • Advocacy engagement with federal policymakers HESPERUS
    advocacy
    Engages in advocacy by discussing its work in Native American communities with federal policymakers, including Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-7) on Capitol Hill.
  • Advocacy with Congressional Representatives HESPERUS
    advocacy
    Discusses its work in Native American communities with Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-7) on Capitol Hill.
  • Ak-Chin Youth STEM Day HESPERUS
    direct service
    Leads an Ak-Chin Youth STEM Day in partnership with the United States Military Academy at West Point’s Center for Leadership and Diversity in STEM (CLD-STEM).
  • Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Native American Veterans HESPERUS
    direct service
    Provides an Entrepreneurship Bootcamp specifically for Native American Veterans in New Mexico and the Southwest Region of the United States.
  • Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Native American Veterans HESPERUS
    direct service
    Delivers an Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Native American Veterans, focused on economic empowerment, in New Mexico and the broader Southwest Region of the United States.
  • Girls Who Game Program HESPERUS
    direct service
    Delivers the "Girls Who Game" program in partnership with technology companies and the San Carlos Apache Tribe and School District.
  • Girls Who Game program HESPERUS
    direct service
    Partners with Microsoft, Dell Technologies, Intel, the San Carlos Unified School District, and the San Carlos Apache Tribe to deliver the "Girls Who Game" program, promoting STEM engagement among Native youth.
  • National Forum and stakeholder engagement events HESPERUS
    direct service
    Hosts high-level convenings such as the inaugural National Forum at the Verizon Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., and sponsors receptions at major events like the AISES Conference in Palm Springs to engage supporters and partners.
  • Summit Program for Native American Veterans HESPERUS
    direct service
    Offers the Summit Program to all Native American veterans.
  • Summit Program for Native American veterans HESPERUS
    direct service
    Offers the Summit Program specifically designed for all Native American veterans, providing targeted support and leadership development opportunities.
  • Youth STEM outreach programs HESPERUS
    direct service
    Leads youth-focused STEM initiatives such as the Ak-Chin Youth STEM Day in partnership with the United States Military Academy at West Point’s Center for Leadership and Diversity in STEM (CLD-STEM).
  • Administrative and HR Support for Schools Estrella Educational Foundation
    capacity building
    Provides administrative and human resource support for schools, including managing advertising, candidate pre-screening, background checks, new-hire paperwork, compliance training, employee relations, teacher contract issues, and creating employee handbooks.
  • Administrative and HR Support for Schools Estrella Educational Foundation
    capacity building
    Provides comprehensive administrative and human resource support for schools, including managing advertising, candidate pre-screening, background checks, new-hire paperwork, compliance training, employee relations, teacher contract issues, and employee handbook creation.
  • Charter School Development and Management Consulting Estrella Educational Foundation
    capacity building
    Offers consulting expertise to charter schools on a wide range of operational aspects, including administrator and teacher recruitment, risk management, HR compliance, curriculum coordination, budgeting, behavior management, teacher evaluation, departmental organization, leadership training, community outreach, and student enrollment.
  • Charter School Development and Management Consulting Estrella Educational Foundation
    capacity building
    Helps charter schools with a wide range of services including recruiting administrators and teachers, risk management, HR compliance, curriculum coordination, budgeting, behavior management, teacher evaluation, department organization, leadership training, community outreach, and student enrollment.
  • Charter School Development and Management Consulting Estrella Educational Foundation
    capacity building
    Offers consulting expertise to charter schools on a wide range of operational aspects, including administrator and teacher recruitment, risk management, HR compliance, curriculum coordination, budgeting, behavior management, teacher evaluation, department organization, leadership training, community outreach, and student enrollment.
  • Financial Management for Schools Estrella Educational Foundation
    direct service
    Provides guidance and services for managing charter school costs, including accounting systems, bookkeeping, budgeting, financial reporting and forecasting, grant management, payroll, audit preparation, accounts payable, vendor management, property management, and marketing.
  • Financial Management for Schools Estrella Educational Foundation
    direct service
    Provides guidance in accounting systems, bookkeeping, budgeting, financial reporting and forecasting, grant management, payroll and audit preparation, accounts payable and vendor management, property management, and marketing to help schools report, track, and manage charter costs.