In a nutshell, describe your Teen Café program. What’s special or unique about it?
We have 24 youth, we meet once per month. We have team building activities, digital certifications, discussions with scientists, and field trips. Our program is unique because we have students ranging from special needs to advanced, from low income to high income.
What’s your background? How did you become involved with your Teen Café program?
I teach 9th grade science and I became involved in the program by an email from our AMSTI coordinator and applied for the Million Dollar Girl Moonshot Grant.
What organization provides a home for your Teen Café program? How do you see your program fitting with that organization’s mission?
Monroe County High School. We are promoting stem which fits into our school’s mission.
What’s your biggest stumbling block as your program has developed?
No real stumbling blocks, just having to decide how many students we’d be able to handle.
What achievement are you most proud of with your Teen Café program?
Digital certification, field trips, meeting with engineers.
What has been your favorite café and why?
Our field trip to the Alabama nature center. The students enjoyed the hands on experiences and collaboration with other groups.
What is one aspiration you have for your Teen Café program and how will you manifest it?
Delving into the students interests on how they want to use their skills to plan their future careers and help their families, schools and communities flourish with it.
Do you have any advice for those just starting, re-starting, or sustaining their own Teen Café program?
Plan what you want, but make sure you start and seek help if you need it.
