If you are an Atlanta native or an ATLein like me (kinda sorta), then you know the highlight of every Labor Day Weekend is Luda Day.
Luda Day was created in 2005 by Atlanta rapper, actor, and humanitarian Christopher "Ludracris" Bridges. This weekend was filled with events geared toward social service and responsibility.
I had the pleasure of visiting the STEM Wars tent at the Luda Fam Day festivities this past Saturday.
STEM Wars founded by William T. Curry, is a mobile science fair with a collection of STEM companies who want to engage with low income, first generation, and predominantly minority youth. They make STEM accessible to communities that are often missed over.
As I browsed around the tent space, I discovered a few STEM organizations owned and operated by Women of Color. Want to learn more about them?
Blueprint Camp
Linnell M. Burton is the owner of Blueprint Camp which has been around since 2013 and just made their 5 year anniversary! Blueprint Camp is a forensic science youth camp that concentrates on crime scene investigation and other disciplines in forensic science. Forensic pathology, toxicology, ontology, anthropology are just a few of many disciplines that they teach. Linnell is a certified CSI with 14 yrs of law enforcement working for several police departments and even overseas teaching forensic science. Linnell is currently a high school teacher ans she started the second program for forensic science in Dekalb County (yes #blackgirlmagic!).
Currently BPC's Target audience 7+ and just this year, they added Pre-k students to the mix.. can you believe that?! According to Linnell, the babies absolutely love the hands on investigative activities. Blueprint Camp also has their own characters..... 5 to be exact.
*Freddie the Fingerprinter
*Kam the Camera
*Clark The Cat Burglar (named after her Alma Mater Clark Atlanta University)
*Max the Magnifier
*Victor the Chalkline
Blueprint Camp has 3 animations out so far with aspirations of appearing on the big screen very soon! They also host CSI birthday parties, summer camps, after school programs and in-school fields.
Visit Blueprint Camp HERE
Dream in S.T.E.A.M
Aquarius Cain is the founder and CEO of Dream in S.T.E.A.M
Dream n S.T.E.A.M focuses on being able to show kids how to be innovative and creative using everyday items. The first item they launched back in November 2017, were the Dream In S.T.E.A.M kits. Each kit came packaged with recyclable and everyday materials and projects for kids to do . They include a booklet with activities, discussion questions, background information, and step by step instructions.
Dream n S.T.E.A.M has been around for almost a year and already making tremendous strides in the community. Aquarius loves hosting camps, workshops, and creating LEGO robotics with children varying from ages 7 and up.
Visit Dream in S.T.E.M HERE
