STEM Venture Crew 353

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS & GIRLS

A first in the United States, Darien’s STEM Venture Crew was created in 2017 when…

Pat Gentile, former Scoutmaster of Troop 35, and a recipient of the Silver Beaver (the highest honor for Scouting volunteers), initiated the formation of a new unit, dedicated to the mission of project team based research, exploration and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) development and career pathways for high school youth ages 14 to 20.

The STEM Venture Crew 353 offers opportunities for high school students who have a passion for STEM-related subjects and careers and enjoy engaging in community service to develop STEM experiments, activities, and curriculum; learn to run their organization as a business research team; and become qualified to teach STEM programs to elementary-school-age children in local after-school and summer programs. Youth meet new friends and mentors, gain training and experience in STEM fields, and earn service hours in this unique Venture Crew, which is the first of its kind in the nation.

Most notably, the STEM Venturers work closely with inner-city community outreach programs in South Norwalk and Stamford to help our at-risk youth close the education gap through STEM related hands-on, inquiry-based practical skills, experiments and activities. 

“Their goal is to help provide over time a cradle to career continuum, where our youth are empowered to lead youth.  The vision is to make them the change agents and catalysts to help become our next STEM leaders and provide mentorship to help all children regardless of socio-economic background overcome education achievement gaps in the communities they serve.”