Next-Gen Innovators

Beyond athletics

Hands-on STEM workshops for every student, not just athletes. We help Westside kids build, test and discover new interests.

About the program

Well-rounded young people

Our goal is to develop well-rounded young people while creating opportunities for all students. Through workshops, we expose students to new interests in science, technology, engineering and math.

In our first workshop, in spring 2026, students built miniature greenhouses, gaining hands-on experience with plant growth, sustainability and basic STEM concepts. Workshops are free or low-cost thanks to sponsors and donors.

What students do

Learn by making

Every session is hands-on, small-group and built for curious beginners.

Build

Real projects students take home: greenhouses, circuits, structures and robots.

Experiment

Test an idea, watch it fail, fix it and try again. That is engineering.

Discover

A first taste of fields students may never have seen up close, close to home.

Students at a STEM workshopGreenhouse kits on a workshop table

Upcoming

Winter STEM workshops

Five workshops this winter. Registration opens soon; join the list and we will email you the moment it does, along with times and location.

PastSpring 2026
Miniature greenhouse workshopOur first workshop. Students built miniature greenhouses and learned about plant growth and sustainability.
Completed
FriDec 4, 2026
Circuits and light-up artBuild a simple circuit and turn it into a light-up card.
Opens soon
FriDec 18, 2026
Intro to coding: build a gameMake a simple game on a laptop, no experience needed.
Opens soon
FriJan 15, 2027
Engineering challenge: bridges and towersDesign, build and test structures with everyday materials.
Opens soon
FriFeb 19, 2027
Robotics basicsProgram a small robot to move, sense and solve a challenge.
Opens soon
FriMar 19, 2027
Plant science and showcaseA grow-light experiment, then students show families what they built this winter.
Opens soon