The Science Museum of Minnesota's youth-based ITEST program engages inner city teens in creating a learning community for STEM education through creative technology projects led by adult professionals in sciences and the arts.
Through a three-year series and cycle of festivals, workshops, and presentations, participating teenagers - with special emphasis on girls, youth of color, and economically disadvantaged youth - in grades 7-12 engage in hands-on design and construction workshops integrating familiar materials, computer technology, electronics, and engineering while developing relationships with one another, the program staff, and adult mentors.
The goals for youth participating in MyBEST are that that they will:
- Enjoy Learning
- Feel Comfortable Using New Technologies
- Creatively Solve Problems
- Know about technology careers and what is needed to join those careers
- Present their knowledge to others
