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.
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.
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.
Rebecca Smith, CDAIDE, President
Adeline Smith, Lake City High School, Vice President
Dennis Durfee, Mountain West Bank, Treasurer
Caline LyBarger, Deaconess Hospital, Secretary
Charlene Babb, Sorensen Magnet School, Education Co-Chair
Kara Carleton, University of Idaho, Outreach Chair
Shanna Marshall, Sorensen Magnet School, Education Co-Chair
Debora Nelson, Ivy Court, Middle School Chair
Magen Schmidt, Neurosurgery and Spine Northwest, Board Member
Ryan Eaton, STEM Chair and Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy Student Board Member
Lance Emry, Student Board Member
Polina Epshtein, Lake City High School Student Board Member
Riley Yake, Coeur d'Alene High School Student Board Member
Youth Development. We value kids helping kids, therefore placing students in leadership roles to develop the next generation of leaders and teach young people that they can make a difference.
Equality. Given the importance of STEM education and known barriers and inequalities in the STEM fields, we seek gender, socioeconomic, and cultural parity among participants in STEM activities.
Fun. We believe that to be successful in expanding student engagement in math and science education, activities must be fun, entertaining, and hands-on.
Hard Work. To make sustainable and impactful change in our community, we need to work diligently and push students to become their best.
Confidence. We believe confidence is a critical component in nurturing students’ interest in and pursuit of math and science fields and work to foster this in our programs.
Lilian at MathCounts in middle school
Adeline at her first Math is Cool competition in third grade
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