Our Mission – Committed to Excellence
Our mission is to create an environment where students can express their leadership and bring the best out of themselves and their juniors.
Highly accomplished students teach and share their experience with the elementary and middle schoolers and provide them with skills necessary to succeed in future endeavors (Math, Science, Technology advance knowledge, social and emotional skills)
Our Journey
The Urbana STEMM (USTEMM) program was originally established by Dr. Amit Kumar and a couple of volunteer parents as a basement tutoring session in 2014. Over time, it evolved, starting with a small group of children receiving advanced math and science instruction from Dr. Kumar. Gradually, it expanded into the Urbana Math Club holding classes in a public place in 2016 and catering to the Frederick community. Later, Urbana STEMM was incorporated as an entity in Maryland and is recognized as a 501(C)(3) organization in 2022 and aims to engage more students.
Urbana STEMM incorporates a unique teaching approach that transcends grade-level work done in school. It enables students to excel academically and gives them the ability to tackle advanced-level problems. Consequently, many students have been acknowledged and awarded for their academic achievements. Some have earned Presidential awards, and others have been decorated with medals for their outstanding performance in Mathcount and Science Olympiad competitions at the regional/State level.
One noteworthy feature of the Urbana STEMM program is the opportunity it offers to middle and high school students to serve as volunteer teachers. Under the guidance and support from Brad Young, then Frederick County Board of Education President, USTEMM was able to recruit student volunteers from Urbana High School. Numerous students have dedicated their time to this program to assist their community and provide valuable service, enhancing the VOU area. Through their accumulation of SSL (Student Service Learning) hours, Urbana STEMM student volunteers have gained recognition and awards for their efforts such as the Volunteer Presidential Service Award from Americorp, Point of Light honor roll, and ELKS Award.
Urbana STEMM founders and coordinators believe in community services and engage USTEMM students in many activities ranging from technology to environment to social services. Students held robotics workshops, plantation and maintenance of community garden, community cleaning, and food and goods drive in partnership with several other local, national, and international organizations. Furthermore, students from the USTEMM program joined and supported the program of other non-profit organizations, such as Ekal Foundation of USA, Recycle My Battery (RMB), YMCA, and Green Team, showcasing their commitment to creating a better society.
All in all, the Urbana STEMM program, founded by Dr. Amit Kumar, has played a pivotal role in providing educational opportunities, fostering community support, and promoting volunteerism among students in the Frederick community. The STEMM program aims to extend learning opportunities to underserved or underprivileged migrants in Frederick County in the future.