STEM Discovery Lab, led by Sarah Grosvenor, Recognized as Granite YMCA Community Partner of the Year

Sarah Grosvenor, UNH Extension field specialist in science literacy and director of the UNH STEM Discovery Lab in Manchester, has been recognized for her innovative work with the Granite YMCA as their Community Partner of the Year.

In her position at the STEM Discovery Lab, Grosvenor designs and implements STEM education pathways for youth in grades K-12 through college, in addition to providing professional learning programs to prepare and retain highly skilled K-12 STEM volunteers, informal educators and teachers.

To connect with the local community, the lab has joined forces with the Granite United Way Youth Enrichment Partnership, which brings together 14 youth-serving organizations and the Manchester School District under a hub and spoke model –the hubs are places that youth frequent like schools, after-school programs and summer camps; the spokes are evidence-based interventions that support academics, soft skills and health behaviors.

Through this groundbreaking partnership, the STEM Discovery Lab has engaged YMCA students with STEM enrichment, including 3D printing instruction, SeaPerch competitions (an underwater robotics program), marine science learning and more.

Because of generous funding from Granite United Way and the Norwin and Elizabeth Bean Foundation, after-school and summer educational opportunities are provided at no cost to middle school youth.

“I’m able to provide enriching STEM programs for kids of different ages groups,” said Grosvenor. “Beyond running programs for youth and adults, the STEM Discovery Lab also inspires youth to feel confident in themselves as scientists or engineers. We bring excitement and energy to the topics we teach.”