WILL ALLEN FOUNDATION

This summer 9th graders from The Neighborhood Academy are participating in the Electrical Foundations Micro-Certification from Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy. Today, we were able to take 31 students to Carnegie Mellon’s National Robotics Engineering Center. They learned about different robots, why they are used, and how the skills they learn can be applied to future opportunities.

I’m #hiring. Know anyone who might be interested? 👋😊

🌱 Your mental health matters. 🧠 At the Will Allen Foundation, we understand the importance of mental wellness on the journey to success. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just need someone to talk to, we're here for you. Together, let's break the stigma surrounding mental health and support each other on the path to healing and resilience. 💚 #MentalHealthMatters #BreakTheStigma #WillAllenFoundation

How to Engage and Retain Women in STEM Fields via Psychology Today: “Women can be turned off from STEM subjects, not because of the science and math content, but simply because those fields are seen as operating under masculine defaults. That is, people see STEM fields as emphasizing what are known as agentic values, such as independence and achievement, at the expense of what is known as communal values, of teamwork and making a difference in the world. What is the solution to encouraging science-minded people who value communal goals to enter or stay in STEM fields? Answering this question can open the doors more widely to groups more likely to value collaboration and helping others, including women, underrepresented minority students, and first-generation students. One solution may be demonstrating that communal values can also be consistent with work in STEM fields and even welcomed there. That’s where an intervention developed by Amanda Diekman and her team in the Social Roles Lab at Indiana University may be useful. In a published study sponsored by 3M, Diekman and colleagues asked university students in engineering and the physical sciences to think about the challenges of being a STEM major. Half were asked to include a ‘purpose reflection’ that allowed them to reflect on why they chose to be a STEM major and what they hoped to do with their training. This purpose reflection, in theory, would allow students to think about how their area of study matches their values, including communal values when those are important. The result? These purpose reflections increased students’ sense that STEM fields can fulfill both agentic and communal goals, enhancing their feelings of belonging in STEM majors. These findings held for everyone, both men and women. They suggest that being reminded of communal opportunities may help encourage women who value these goals to feel like they belong in STEM fields without scaring off men.” #WomenInSTEM #GirlsInSTEM #STEMGems #GiveGirlsRoleModels https://lnkd.in/e6SkGufZ

Excited to announce that we have been selected by Eden Hall Foundation for a grant that will allow us to expand programming in the Clairton City School District by establishing STEM programs in their elementary and middle schools and enhancing the high school’s existing STEM programming and robotics competition.

We are excited to welcome Amy Baumgardner as our new Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives. Amy joins us from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, where she was the STEAM Director for nearly two years. She, like Will, also has ties to Ohio, where she graduated from Ohio University with both a Bachelor and a Master of Education. She has spent nearly all of her adult life teaching in a classroom, teaching students from 2nd to 8th grade in all subjects across many school districts. Teaching, mentoring, and giving opportunities to youth has always been a passion for Amy. “I am really looking forward to working with Rosemary and the team to continue the vision at the WAF to provide a level playing field for all, to foster new leaders for the new generation, and to equip each individual to achieve their greatest success. I can’t wait to use all that I’ve learned to help further the mission of the WAF and continue my life’s work to provide opportunities and education for youth,” said Amy, and we couldn’t agree more! Welcome to the team, Amy!

On this Juneteenth, we continue to honor the past and embrace a united future. Today is a day to remember, reflect, and rejoice. We are forever grateful for the pioneers who paved the way. #FreedomCelebration

Celebrating all the amazing dads out there! Today, we honor the fathers who inspire, support, and guide us through life's journey. To all the dads, granddads, stepdads, and father figures, thank you for your unwavering love and encouragement. 💙 Happy Father's Day from the Will Allen Foundation! #FathersDay #SupportingDads #WillAllenFoundation

What a day we had “wearing orange” at Clairton! It marked the culmination of a monthlong program providing students with the skills they need for conflict resolution and empowering them for social interactions moving forward. Could not have done it without our friends and partners from AD99 Solutions, Youth Opportunity Development, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania.

Join us in wearing orange TOMORROW and help empower teens in conflict resolution!  - with AD99 Solutions and Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania