Sparking a Movement: Celebrating 10 Years of SPIN

Photos from our first programs in 2025

In summer, 2015, a small group of curious young people gathered at the Filipino Community Center in Southeast Seattle to learn about Robots and careers in engineering - and something bigger began to take shape. That small robotics class was the spark of SPIN Enrich, a program designed to increase engagement, relevancy and accessibility in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) youth. Today, SPIN Enrich is thriving: this summer alone, we are working with almost 500 students in 33 classrooms across King County.

That kind of growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s taken a decade of collaborating with our communities, designing hands-on learning experiences, and partnering with schools, community organizations, youth, and families to co-create spaces where STEM learning feels possible - and joyful - for every student. Where everyone belongs and every student thrives. What started as one class has evolved into a dynamic network of programs that spark curiosity, build skills, and inspire the next generation of innovators.

With growth and time comes a deeper understanding of what’s still needed. Despite our progress, the opportunity gap in STEM persists, and many family-wage jobs in King County remain out of reach. BIPOC students face barriers to accessing high-quality STEM learning, mentorship and career pathways. Our work is even more urgent today than it was ten years ago.

While our programs have grown, our mission is the same: To close the opportunity gap in STEM education and careers and ensure every young person,  no matter their zip code, race, or income, is able to envision a role in STEM.

This fall, SPIN is hitting double digits! On October, 10, 2025 we’ll gather to celebrate a decade of community-driven STEM programming and imagine what the next ten years could hold. We hope you’ll join us. Let’s celebrate what we’ve built together - and where we will go next, as one.