Becky McDowell
Chief Executive Officer
STEM in Action Educational Consulting, LLC
Tufts Teacher Engineering Education Program Alum
A few weeks ago, I came across a powerful post by a local school board member and passionate advocate for youth in Sioux Falls, SD. She highlighted the incredible work being done by volunteers at the Minnehaha County Juvenile Detention Center—creative writing programs, mentorship, and more. What stuck with me most was the mention of how much more is needed, especially in the summer months when school is out and programming is limited.
As a STEM educator and freelancer, I immediately saw a space where I could help.
Young people in detention facilities are often overlooked when it comes to outreach education. But these are precisely the youth who need support with the skills (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity) that STEM programming can provide to help them imagine different futures for themselves. I believe that education is our greatest enabler for making change in ourselves and in our world.
That belief led me to design and lead STEM sessions at the center this summer.
Every week I meet with a group of 6-8 youth for an hour. Each group receives two sessions, although some youth move in or out between sessions, due to the nature of the facility. In our first session, we used LuxBlox to create flexing fidgets and got to know each other and how the Lux pieces went together. In the next session, half the youth followed directions to assemble a rideable scooter (Berg Moov Street Kit) while the other half designed and raced their own mini cars using the LuxBlox, iterating on their designs to improve speed and performance. The groups switched halfway through.
Yes, it was about interpreting technical directions, iterating designs, and wheels and axles. But it was also about laughter, teamwork, and pride in figuring something out together. I knew I was making a difference when I heard one of the staff say, “They actually sound like kids having fun.”
These moments matter.
They’re small sparks that can ignite bigger changes—in mindset, in motivation, in how a young person sees their own potential. The classroom might look different in a detention center, but the impact of a meaningful learning experience is just as powerful, if not more.
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this effort, and especially thankful for advocates who shine a light on places where help is most needed. Their leadership opens doors—sometimes literally—and reminds us that community work takes a community.
If you’re an educator, maker, artist, or someone with a skill to share, consider reaching out to a detention facility near you. There’s a good chance your talents are needed more than you know.
Every young person deserves the chance to build something—and to believe they can build a life that’s meaningful, connected, and full of possibility.
