Our Story
Growing the STEM was started in 2017 by Lilian Smith and Adeline Smith who wanted to share their love of math with more students in their community.
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About Lilian
Lilian Smith graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 2021 and is currently pursuing degrees in government and chemistry, en route to a career in public education teaching, policy, and advocacy. She serves in a program to teach civics to 5th graders in Boston Public Schools and is involved with Women in Business. Lilian started and led the Math is Cool team at Fernan STEM Academy and the STEM Club at Borah Elementary. Lilian also served as president on the board of Growing the STEM, where her focus was on fundraising, community outreach, website building, and planting new programs.
About Adeline
Adeline Smith is currently a student at Lake City High School and attended Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities when she helped to start Growing the STEM in 4th grade. Her interests are art, singing, writing, math competitions, crew, student council, and tennis. She works at Fire Artisan Pizza and serves in the HOPE Club at LCHS. Adeline had the idea for the Mathletes Mentor program and has served as a Mathletes Mentor and a valuable advisor in the development of the program. She also served as a coach of the Bryan Elementary Math is Cool team for several years starting in sixth grade and has recently piloted a STEAM program at Borah Elementary.
our founders' experience
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Lilian at MathCounts in middle school
Adeline at her first Math is Cool competition in third grade