An 8- 12 week, project‑based workforce development experience that blends industry certification pathways in AI and cybersecurity with hands‑on digital portfolio creation using Adobe Express. Students build career‑ready skills through real‑world challenges, mentorship, and a capstone pitch that showcases their learning and impact.

  • What you’ll do each week—simple, structured, and action‑oriented.

    • Kickoff & SDG Selection: Choose an SDG that matters to your community, set goals, and start your Adobe Express portfolio.

    • Digital Foundations: Explore AI or cybersecurity fundamentals, establish your brand (logo, color palette), and build your portfolio homepage.

    • Research & Concept Development: Investigate local challenges, gather evidence, and draft prototype sketches with a clear problem/solution fit.

    • Tech Integration: Apply AI insights and cybersecurity basics to your idea; add reflections and evidence of learning to your portfolio.

    • Prototype & Branding: Finalize prototype details, create branded visuals and an athletic‑style slide deck in Adobe Express, and get peer feedback.

    • Showcase & Pitch: Present your work (portfolio + slide deck), highlight SDG alignment and certifications, and field questions from reviewers.

  • Turn learning into credentials and capabilities employers recognize.

    • CDOS‑Aligned Skills: Career exploration, integrated learning, problem‑solving, collaboration, communication, professionalism, and tech fluency—practiced weekly and demonstrated in your portfolio.

    • Certification Pathways:

      • Azure AI Fundamentals (AI‑901): key concepts in AI, machine learning, and responsible AI.

      • Security Fundamentals (SC‑900): core cybersecurity, identity, and compliance concepts.

    • Show What You Know: Add badges, reflections, and artifacts to your Adobe Express portfolio to evidence skills, growth, and readiness for next steps.

  • Everything you need to build, brand, and present your solution.

    • Adobe Express Portfolio Kit: guided sections for bio, SDG impact, research notes, prototype images, branding assets, and final pitch uploads.

    • Microsoft Teams Workspace: live sessions, breakouts, Q&A, and presentation tools to collaborate and practice.

    • Prototype & Branding Templates: prompts, design briefs, and slide deck templates tailored for athletic storytelling and community impact.

    • Clear Rubrics & Checklists: weekly criteria (participation, research depth, prototype quality, portfolio completeness, presentation delivery) to keep you on track.

High School & Middle School Edition

Elementary Edition

STEM for Change empowers elementary students to become problem‑solvers by applying STEM, design thinking, and creativity to real‑world challenges connected to their schools and communities.
Through solutions‑based project‑based learning aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, students design, build, and share meaningful projects that develop confidence, curiosity, and early digital skills.

A group of children participating in a shelter design presentation, with signs for beach cleanup, food pantry, and shelter, in a classroom with colorful posters.

NEW

  • 1. Discover & Explore

    • What is STEM and how does it connect to the real world?

    • Identify challenges in the school, neighborhood, or community

    • Introduction to design thinking:

      • Empathize

      • Imagine

      • Create

      • Improve

    2. Research & Investigate

    • Learn about the selected problem and who it impacts

    • Explore relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals at an elementary level

    • Ask questions, gather information, and study real‑world examples

    3. Design & Build

    • Sketch ideas and plan solutions

    • Build hands‑on prototypes using classroom and maker‑space materials

    • Use digital tools to design visuals, models, or simple app concepts

    4. Test, Reflect & Improve

    • Test solutions and gather feedback

    • Reflect on what worked and what could improve

    • Iterate designs to strengthen impact

    5. Share & Celebrate

    • Create a simple digital portfolio to showcase learning

    • Present solutions through showcases, presentations, or exhibitions

    • Connect learning to future STEM exploration and pathways

  • Students develop foundational skills that support long‑term success in STEM, school, and life:

    • Problem‑solving and critical thinking

    • Creativity and innovation

    • Collaboration and teamwork

    • Communication and presentation skills

    • Early digital fluency

    • Design thinking and iteration

    • Empathy and community awareness

    • Confidence in sharing ideas and solutions

  • Student Tools

    • Hands‑on maker materials (cardboard, reuseables, basic tools)

    • Digital creation tools (graphics, presentations, simple design platforms)

    • Guided reflection and portfolio templates

    Educator Support

    • Reusable lesson guides aligned to PBL and STEM standards

    • Step‑by‑step project templates and rubrics

    • Professional development for teachers and families

    • Support for running sustainable STEM cycles year after year

    Program Resources

    • UN Sustainable Development Goals student‑friendly framework

    • Project planning and reflection tools

    • Adobe Express for Education Digital portfolio structures students can build on over time

Learn more

What Students Are Saying

  • “This experience showed me how important it is to make STEM learning more accessible for kids in my community. I loved how it turned a real problem into a creative solution that can help students learn, grow, and feel supported.”

    — Vedant C. (2026)

  • “Out of all the summer programs I have been in, this has by far been the most engaging, friendly, and exciting program ever.”

    —Salih D. (2026)

  • “My experience was beneficial. This course helped me understand how I can leverage from AI. It also showed me all the features of Adobe, and how to use them.”

    —Nimalan K. (2026)

  • "STEM for Change was a great way to expand my knowledge on technology and find effective ways to use AI for problem solving. The program is designed to be fun and engaging for students, I feel as though I have learned technological terms as well as creative approaches."

    -Suhasini B. (2026)

  • "STEM For Change is a great platform for creative minds. I learnt to create logo using adobe express. All the AI concepts for developers and technology professionals are more informative. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity. I look forward to learn more from "Stem for Change."

    Kavin G. (2026)

Meet the Facilitators

  • A woman smiling with long black hair, wearing a pink blazer and white top, outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Yaritza Villalba

    CEO & FOUNDER + PBL SPECIALIST

    Global Team

    Yaritza Villalba is the CEO and Founder of McKenzie’s Adventures LLC and the creator of STEM for Change. A former New York teacher and administrator, she is now a global Microsoft educator and trainer who designs and leads PBL initiatives across six continents, reaching over 20,000 students worldwide. She is an award‑winning consultant and author committed to expanding access and meaningful learning opportunities for diverse learners.

  • Close-up of a woman with light brown hair and green eyes smiling, wearing a green hoodie.

    Dr. Stephanie Holmes

    CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & AI SPECIALIST

    USA & Global Team

    Dr. Stephanie Holmes is an innovative educator with 18 years of experience, including 11 years as a school leader in New York City. In 2013, she co-founded a transfer high school to support over-aged and under-credited students, reflecting her deep commitment to equity and access in education. A lifelong learner, she earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from The Sage Colleges, focusing her research on instructional practices for trauma-impacted students and integrating social-emotional learning with rigorous instruction.

  • A confident middle-aged man with brown hair and a beard, dressed in a dark suit and blue tie, standing with crossed arms in a modern office with large windows and minimalistic decor.

    Dr. Michael Harvey

    GLOBAL EDTECH & AI SPECIALIST

    New Zealand & Global Team

    Dr. Michael Harvey is an Innovative Senior Science Teacher at Lytton High School (Gisborne, Aotearoa New Zealand), where he supports teachers to translate emerging technologies into practical, high-impact classroom practice. With a background in science and physics teaching, he specializes in helping teachers design learning that strengthens student thinking, agency, and metacognition especially in AI-rich environments.

Your Questions, Answered

  • STEM for Change is designed for middle school and high school students, especially student‑athletes, who are interested in STEM, technology, creativity, and building real‑world career skills.

  • The course runs for 8-12 weeks, with guided learning, hands‑on projects, and weekly deliverables designed to be manageable alongside school and athletic schedules.

  • No prior experience is required. The course is built to support beginners while also providing meaningful challenges for students with prior exposure to STEM or technology tools.

  • Students will need:

    • A device with internet access

    • A school or personal email address

    • Curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to try new things

    All required tools and platforms are introduced during the course.

Colorful 3D text spelling 'STEM' with splatter paint design on black background.

  • By the end of STEM for Change, participants will complete:

    • A digital workforce portfolio built in Adobe Express

    • A community‑impact prototype aligned to a UN Sustainable Development Goal

    • A final presentation or pitch showcasing their work and learning

    • Progress toward or completion of an industry‑recognized certification pathway

  • Students will use:

    • Adobe Express for digital portfolios and branding

    • Microsoft tools (including Copilot, Teams, and Microsoft Learn)

    • Guided resources for AI and cybersecurity fundamentals

    All tools are introduced step‑by‑step during the course.

  • The course strengthens:

    • Digital portfolios for internships, college, or career exploration

    • Presentation and communication skills

    • Real‑world problem‑solving and innovation experience

    • Confidence in navigating technology‑driven career pathways

  • Participants receive:

    • Guidance from trained facilitators or coaches (Depends on tier selected)

    • Clear weekly instructions and rubrics

    • Feedback on portfolios, prototypes, and presentations

    • Access to resources and help throughout the program