When Jie Ying joined SPIN as a seventh grader learning from home during the pandemic, she felt isolated and disconnected. SPIN’s virtual STEM programs gave her a space to explore coding, 3D design, and teamwork for the first time. What started as curiosity quickly grew into confidence. Over three years of hands-on projects—from biomimicry to food science—Jie Ying discovered her love for problem-solving and realized she could make a real impact through science.
Read MoreAddison’s SPIN journey began at just nine years old, teaching Minecraft at a SPIN camp for unhoused youth. That early spark of curiosity grew into a decade of exploration, leadership, and confidence. Through SPIN Forward and the SPIN Fellows program, Addi learned to take initiative, pursue opportunities, and hone her passion for engineering. Today, she’s a University of Washington Presidential Scholar majoring in industrial engineering and minoring in leadership, carrying forward the lessons she first learned at SPIN.
Read MoreThis season, we celebrate ten years of SPIN and the students, mentors, and community partners who make learning, leadership, and belonging possible. For Jaidyn, gratitude runs deep. She joined SPIN as a reluctant seventh grader, unsure about giving up her Saturdays—but her mom saw the potential before she did. Over time, Jaidyn found mentors, peers, and opportunities that transformed her experience. “I found trust and relationships with those in my cohort,” she says, “because we were all going through the same thing.”
Read MoreBlog that talks about the barriers students of color face in STEM and how STEM Paths Innovation Network is working to bridge the gap.
Read MoreHere are our program updates that were shared in STEM Paths Innovation Network’s October 2025 newsletter.
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