Bringing STEM lessons to farmworker kids on the coastside

“Bright Start” delivers hands-on science, technology, engineering and math lessons to children of farmworkers in partnership with Ayudando Latinos A Soñar in Half Moon Bay. In addition to the lessons, students receive a STEM kit, which they can take home to continue their learning. 

“They probably don’t have the same resources and lessons that I’ve had during my educational journey,” Armistead said. “My STEM lessons will provide the chance for them to possibly and hopefully develop their passion for STEM at home.”

When researching, Armistead came to understand the impact on a child’s education due to the transient nature of farm work that can cause families to move in the middle of the school year. Offering kits that students can bring home was an effort to allow for the learning to continue, regardless of where they are. Each kit includes instructions in both English and Spanish as well.

“I was finding that it affected their education and changed their opportunities in the future,” Armistead said. “I’m not forcing them to go into a STEM career, but I want them to have a  choice and not be limited by childhood circumstances.” 

The lessons are geared toward middle school students, and serve to mainly introduce the basics and possibilities of STEM-related projects, Armistead said. The goal is to “just give them the resources to start to explore the field,” she said.

Armistead, who is aspiring to study computer engineering in college, said she’s been able to make strong connections with the students who’ve attended her lessons, and some are repeatedly returning and bringing their siblings. 

“I’ve had one kid come up to me and ask to be my friend,” Armistead said. “I feel like I’m connecting with them on a personal level beyond just educating them. I think they really like the lessons more than just to learn but to be around people that also want to learn.” 

The education initiative was born from a social entrepreneurship class Armistead is enrolled in at the Pinewood School in Los Altos. Her teacher, Michelle Gannon, had students figure out how to apply something they’re passionate about to a community that they felt needed help. 

To date, Armistead has held three STEM lessons in Half Moon Bay and distributed more than 200 kits to farmworker families — which she has also handed out at the Center for Farmworker Families distributions in Watsonville. 

The program began as a class project during Armistead’s junior year, and their senior year is focused on reflecting on these projects, but Armistead said she has no intent of stopping the lessons or handing out the kits. 

“I really believe that I am making a difference and I enjoyed being a part of this new community and contributing,” Armistead said. “I felt like I was making a difference so I didn’t see why I should stop.”