In college, it can be hard to find opportunities to give back to the campus community.
At Root and Stem, a club at the University of Minnesota, members have the opportunity to connect with youth in the Twin Cities community through various events, teaching the necessary skills and knowledge for a future career in STEM.
The club, founded in 2022, aims to provide a safe and collaborative space for women and nonbinary students in STEM while supporting the local community through volunteering at local events for young people who may be interested in STEM subjects, said president Sydney Rakow.
Root and Stem hosts an annual summer camp through the University’s Recreation and Wellness Center, and partners with the Masonic Cancer Center and the Minnesota Academy of Science to work with underprivileged youth to engage them in science activities, Rakow said.
The annual summer camp, called Rooted in Stem, takes place on the University’s St. Paul campus, Rakow said.
All camp activities are planned by the club and include things like making an egg drop and other STEM-based projects. Activities take place at the Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering makerspace.
The club also works with high schoolers at the Masonic Cancer Center to give them resources for navigating the college decision process.
Rakow said being involved in this club gave her a new perspective on the privilege of education.
“Being in a position of privilege, it’s really important to give back to people who aren’t in the same position,” Rakow said. “I was never worried about going to university, but I think there are a lot of people who aren’t sure if that’s right for them. As a university student, I think it’s really important to speak to the youth who really feel unsure about it.”
Rakow said she has enjoyed seeing the club gain members and unite for a cause.
“It was something that I wasn’t sure if people would be interested in, as I said, but I’m really happy that we found a good group of people that I feel like are really engaged and willing to help out with the club,” Rakow said. “It means a lot to me.”
Melissa Daniel, vice president of the club, said mentoring middle and high school students feels rewarding, and she hopes students feel fulfilled too.
“I’m a STEM major, and I know that it can be tough and frustrating,” Daniel said. “I know that when I was in middle and high school, I would have loved to have older students help with stuff and guide me.”
As a student at the University, Daniel said connecting with the community outside of campus helps her to feel like she is making a difference in the community as well as at the University.
“I have never had an experience like this, I’ve never been like a mentor,” Daniel said. “It just makes me feel like I’m making a difference, to be a leader not just for like the younger students, but also for fellow students at the U.”
