Sacramento awards $40,000 to support youth STEM programs near Aggie Square

The City of Sacramento, in partnership with developer Wexford Science & Technology, LLC, has granted $40,000 to four local organizations to enhance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs for youth and schools around Aggie Square, which is located on the UC Davis Sacramento campus.

"It's important that we keep these dollars local and invest them directly into our Oak Park community," said Vice Mayor Caity Maple, who represents the Oak Park neighborhood near the campus. "We led the conversation around how the youth funding could be best used to benefit students across the neighborhood, focused on key STEM topics that will allow them to join the workforce with a huge head start. Thank you to Wexford and our Aggie Square partners for recognizing the value in our youth and for funding key programs like the first-of-its-kind "Above the STEM" summer camp and other vital programs."

"As an engineer by training, I am proud of the opportunities this partnership between Aggie Square, Wexford, and our City is providing for our youth," said Councilmember Eric Guerra, who represents the area around Aggie Square. "My STEM education had a profound impact on my life and approach to public policy, and I am proud to see Sacramento paying it forward. These grants that support youth STEM programs near Aggie Square will expose young people to science and math through fun and unique programs, and will undoubtedly push these individuals to begin thinking about careers they may not otherwise consider."

Below are the four organizations and programs being supported by the grants:

1. Mark Twain Elementary - Tower Bridge Tales
   This project teaches civil engineering and bridge construction through hands-on activities, workshops, and field trips centered on the Tower Bridge. Students build a LEGO model of the bridge, gaining skills in robotics, engineering, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. Local engineers and historians provide guidance and real-world experience.
2. The Salvation Army - Summer STEM Camp
   A weeklong program for 30-50 children ages 5-16, featuring experiments, interactive learning, and a field trip to the Museum of Science and Curiosity. The camp aims to foster interest in STEM among underserved students and addresses gender and race disparities in STEM education.
3. UC Davis - CITRIS
   CITRIS at UC Davis brings expertise in engineering, nanoscience, law, and medicine to bear on complex challenges related to food, health, the environment, and society. The program, to be held on both the UC Davis and UC Davis Sacramento campuses, will offer high school students hands-on and lecture sessions with a focus on semiconductors and medical devices.
4. Hope Technologies Sacramento - Digital Enrichment Program
   An 11-week digital enrichment program that teaches students to build game applications, introducing them to coding and software development. The program follows the Hope Tech Development Formula: Dream, Develop, and Deploy, and includes STEM activities supported by staff and volunteers.

The $40,000 was provided by Aggie Square developer Wexford Science & Technology as part of the Aggie Square Community Benefits Agreement, which focuses on youth opportunities and education support for those living around the project.

"These four programs represent a variety of touchpoints and options for young people in the region to develop skills for a successful 21st century career," said Travis Sheridan, senior vice president and chief community officer for Wexford Science & Technology. "The job I have today didn't exist 20 years ago, and the jobs our young people will secure in the future don't exist today. The goal of STEM programs is to develop curious minds and an ability to adapt to an ever-changing world."

"We have been working with youth in Sacramento for over seven years, and this funding will enable us to continue inspiring youth to be life-long learners and to explore the world around them," said Joshua Howard, president of Hope Neighborhood Learning Center. "With this support, we can provide students with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in an increasingly technological society."

Additional community funding

This funding is the initial investment that Wexford will be making to support community activities. As part of the project, they will be contributing up to $150,000 annually for the establishment of an Aggie Square Community Fund. After the initial three years, the fund will be paid from the rents from Aggie Square tenants.

Decisions on the use of the funding will be made by the Aggie Square Community Partnership, which comprises of representatives from neighborhood associations and business partners in and around Aggie Square. This long-term fund will support activities in the areas of youth opportunities, workforce, placemaking and art and local entrepreneurs.

Aggie Square construction started in June 2022. As part of the $1.1 billion Aggie Square project, the City of Sacramento, UC Davis, and Aggie Square's developer Wexford Technology & Science agreed to a comprehensive Community Benefits Partnership Agreement to provide meaningful access to jobs, affordable housing, and other community benefits.

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