Leading by example: Sharing time and talent to help close the achievement gap

By Lynne Varner

Volunteerism isn’t separate from my work at Washington STEM—it’s a powerful continuation of our mission.

Every year, I make time to return to the classroom so that I can help make a difference, one student at a time. This is my hands-on reminder of why Washington STEM does what it does. We work to inspire changes in education policies and practices, thus changing the future for students too often left out of high-paying, high-impact careers in STEM.

Showing up for the next generation of Black women in STEM

This mentoring experience reinforces for me the importance of early, meaningful engagement—especially for African American girls, who remain vastly underrepresented in STEM K-12 and post-secondary opportunities.

The achievement gap for Black students in Washington state mirrors a troubling national trend, and we know the power STEM education holds in changing that trajectory. That’s why I prioritize volunteering with Building STEAM—an enrichment program designed to inspire, empower, and prepare young Black women to see themselves in careers like engineering, computer science, biotechnology, and digital arts. The program offers an annual 6-week STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) intensive, held on consecutive Saturdays at Seattle College, and is designed to create real-world connections to careers in STEM fields.

Building STEAM was created by the Greater Seattle Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, in response to state and national data showing Black women are significantly underrepresented in STEM college programs and careers.

Through critical thinking, creativity, and scientific problem-solving, students gain the tools to succeed—in and out of the classroom.

Students apply to Building STEAM through their schools. In past years, young learners have focused on forensic science, industrial and agricultural engineering, virtual reality, and more. This year, the students studied cosmetic engineering, spending Saturdays in the biology labs at Seattle Central College. They learned about hair and skin chemistry, mixed compounds, and explored the business side of the cosmetics industry. Their assignment was to create products and business plans and present them before a panel of judges, who were business leaders volunteering their time and talent for the day.

Every student emerged with flying colors. This past Sunday, the Links and students celebrated at the Seattle Academy of Arts & Sciences (SAAS). The auditorium was filled with proud parents and friends cheering the students as they sauntered across the stage, proud in their newfound knowledge and confidence. In addition to the Building STEAM program graduation, the Links also use the day to award college scholarships worth $175,000 to $200,000. The room shimmered with brilliance, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning! As a proud member of the Links and professional advocate for education, I’m creating not just systems change, but generational equity.

Get involved. Volunteer. Share your story.

Whether you’re mentoring a student, leading an after-school activity, or simply spreading the word about STEAM opportunities, your contribution matters. Together, we can build a Washington where every student, regardless of race, gender, or zip code, has access to the skills and inspiration they need to thrive.

Let’s lead with purpose. Let’s lead with action.