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Youth from marginalized groups have been historically excluded from the STEM workforce, resulting in perpetual disparities in representation among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and women. In 2005, the Boston Public School’s Department of Extended Learning Time, Afterschool, and Services began funding The LEAH Project. Inspired by the work of the late Leah Deni, a passionate youth director, this project aimed to help cultivate the confidence of youth and equip them with the skills and connections they need to thrive in STEM fields. LEAH addresses inequities in academics, college preparation, and careers among young people in the Boston area through paid STEM internships, dynamic college and career readiness programming, and meaningful youth leadership opportunities.

After its initial funding ended in 2013, LEAH鈥檚 dedicated volunteer Advisory Board found a new home for the LEAH Project at HRiA. HRiA鈥檚 expertise in youth development and youth leadership is built on over 30 years of experience addressing complex issues faced by young people, including substance use, violence, and health conditions. With HRiA鈥檚 expertise in peer leadership and youth worker training (e.g., HRiA’s BEST Initiative), it felt like the right fit for LEAH.

How the LEAH Project works

Each year, Boston-area high school students apply for an internship with the LEAH program. Current LEAH Youth Leaders and staff select new LEAH youth leaders through a rigorous but fun application and interview process.

Though the LEAH Project has grown over the years, the foundational elements of the program remain unchanged:

LEAD:

LEAH Youth Leaders apply for and are accepted into one of three internship programs designed to build skills fundamental to a successful STEM career.

LEARN:

Youth Leaders are provided with college and career readiness support to break down barriers that could stand between them and a post-secondary school education. This includes academic support, skill-building workshops, panel discussions with STEM professionals, visits to STEM companies, and assistance throughout the college application process.

LIFE:

FamiLEAH for life! Once LEAH Youth Leaders graduate high school, they鈥檙e still part of the FamiLEAH, and have access to a college peer mentorship program as well as college persistence programming to support them as they navigate college. Support from LEAH staff and mentors helps our alumni overcome barriers and earn their degrees.

LEAH Youth Leaders are placed in one of three internship tracks:

STEM Teaching

In this school-year internship, LEAH youth teach STEM curricula to elementary school students in afterschool programs.

Biological Research (LEAH Daly)

LEAH Daly is a five-week summer internship where LEAH youth engage in biology research and lab internships alongside STEM professionals from MassBioEd at Biogen鈥檚 Community Lab.

Data Science & Biomedical Research (LEAH Knox)

LEAH Knox is a five-week summer internship where LEAH youth engage in data science and biomedical research internships with STEM professionals at MIT. Second year interns are matched with paid summer internships at corporate, academic, or medical labs where they gain further professional experience.

LEAH helped guide me in finding my field of interest as well as helping me improve my confidence and speaking skills. Since last year, I have been able to improve consistently, and I couldn鈥檛 have done it with LEAH鈥檚 help.

LEAH Youth

LEAH’s Impact

LEAH鈥檚 impact is evident: for the past nine years, 99% of LEAH seniors have graduated from high school on time and 95% have enrolled in college. In surveys, nearly 100% of participants report that LEAH increased their interest in STEM studies, 88% report that LEAH helped them gain leadership skills, 86% report that they are interested in pursuing a STEM career, 79% of seniors report that LEAH鈥檚 College Readiness Program helped them feel confident about applying to college, and 66% of summer program participants report that they plan to major in a STEM field in college.

My initial summer internship with LEAH for biomedical research…pointed me towards my passion and now I know what I want to do for the rest of my life.

LEAH Youth

Why it works: the FamiLEAH special sauce

LEAH uses three approaches to build a uniquely supportive culture for young people:

1. We engage youth in developing a supportive, collaborative community of peers where everyone is recognized and valued for their individual contributions. LEAH participants know that they can count on one another for help and advice as they move through their internships.
2. We create an immersive learning environment in academic and professional settings, fostering a sense of belonging. As youth conduct hands-on lab work, they receive guidance and support from STEM professionals. These adults help youth see themselves as professionals, boosting their confidence and encouraging them to continue in STEM. The college and career readiness workshops conducted by LEAH staff reinforce these messages and further motivate students to pursue their goals.
3. Our unique partnership model brings together LEAH鈥檚 youth development specialists with science professionals from leading institutions. Young people benefit from working with experts in both fields. In LEAH鈥檚 workshops, they learn the 鈥渟oft鈥� skills needed to be successful, including problem solving, communication, teamwork, and time management. At the same time, our STEM partners engage youth in designing, conducting, and refining scientific experiments; analyzing data; and presenting their conclusions. As STEM professionals, our partners also help LEAH youth build their professional networks and offer postsecondary and career advice.

Together, these approaches encourage young people to try new things, to make and learn from their mistakes, and to try again. This iterative process builds technical mastery, self-confidence, and a sense of ownership.

Deep dive: The Youth Leadership Team

The LEAH Project deeply values young people鈥檚 ideas, creativity, and lived experiences. Along with supporting their interest in STEM, LEAH creates opportunities for youth to develop decision-making and leadership skills, the ability to advocate for themselves and others, and the capacity for creating positive change in their lives and in their communities.  

LEAH established the Youth Leadership Team (YLT) to strengthen participants’ role in shaping our programs. YLT gives 6-12 participants the opportunity to develop and lead LEAH programs, from shaping internship tracks to planning STEM workshops to advising LEAH staff on potential partnerships. YLT members are compensated for their time.  

In the July 2024 edition of the LEAH Project鈥檚 newsletter, Luira L. shared her reflections on being part of the YLT.

As an immigrant, finding opportunities to take on leadership roles and voice your opinions is often difficult. However, in the Youth Leadership Team (YLT) at LEAH, I found a comfortable space to share my ideas for improving LEAH and coordinate [a] workshop.

Looking ahead

The LEAH Project is now celebrating 20 years of impact. In this past year, LEAH provided paid internships and programming to over 110 Boston-area high school and college youth historically underrepresented in STEM. As they approach their third decade, the LEAH team is looking to expand – new internships, more mentors, innovative collaborations, and extending the #FamiLEAH to younger students.

Leadership