STEM From Dance: Introducing Black And Latina Girls To Science Through Dance

How do we bridge the gap between art and science?

STEM From Dance, a New York City-based youth organization, is fusing opposite sides of the spectrum to help tackle the lack of diversity within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce in a way that has never been done before. 

The organization, founded in 2021 by Yamilée Toussaint Beach, is bringing together art and science – two sectors considered a juxtaposition – and bringing them together to promote the idea that artistic expression and STEM can work together to diversify the STEM industry. 

A childhood love of dance

Beach was inspired to launch this program after sharing her experience of embracing artistic expression and STEM in her childhood. 

“When I was a little girl, I was really in love with dance. It just really resonated with me,” said Beach in an interview.

“I love how it changed how I viewed the world, like the world just became this set of problems I could choose to solve. At the same time, it also felt unfair that there were no people of color, especially women of color, in my classes.” 

From choreography to coding

STEM From Dance offers an eight-week program in schools and community organizations. The program’s highlight is that it integrates STEM learning with dance routines. 

Each dancer can create costumes with circuits and control programmable lights to further illuminate their choreography. Ultimately, the result will see the class combine artistic expression with the work of coding or engineering and explore the similarities that can be found between them. 

The initiative, primarily launched to bridge the gap between Black and Latina women in STEM, has created a safe space for young women by tackling the problem hands-on. 

After a decade of work, STEM From Dance has expanded its program to Houston, Atlanta, and Tampa. They are also partnering with local organizations and training educators to bring the STEM From Dance curriculum to more girls across the US.