Our Crowdfunding Groups
Reach for the Stars is a new annual fair for middle and high school students with disabilities to promote careers and opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The event will engage students with hands-on STEM activities, research, educational pathways, careers and community resources for students with disabilities. We anticipate between 500 and 1,000 North Carolina students with disabilities to attend the fair. The event will be hosted by The Science House of NC State on April 22nd at McKimmon Center at NC State University. Our goal is to create a more inclusive, diverse and innovative STEM workforce with more participation by people with disabilities.
Funds will be used to defray the costs of STEM supplies for hands-on activities, promotional materials, sign-language interpreters, visually accessible materials for the visually impaired and sensory items for students with autism or ADHD.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics , 80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed. Reach for the Stars tackles the crisis of unemployment among adults with disabilities by providing an opportunity for students with disabilities to learn about education and career opportunities. The program is managed by Time magazine's Innovative Teacher of the Year, Joann Blumenfeld. Joann has dedicated her career to fighting to get kids with disabilities into high-paying STEM careers. Join Joann on her quest to provide workforce readiness, career opportunities and hands-on STEM experiences to middle and high school students with disabilities.
Budget Breakdown:
$3,000 — Interactive STEM materials
$1,000 — Accessible materials for visually impaired students
$800 — Sign-language interpreters
$200 — Promotional materials
Funds will be placed in the Catalyst Program Support Fund. If the project does not meet its fundraising goal, exceeds the project need, or the project cannot be completed, the funds will be used for the overall enhancement of the Catalyst Program.
Gifts are received by the NC State University Foundation, Inc. and may be distributed to an affiliated foundation that manages the fund supported by the donor.
