Citizen Science Lab, Young Black Motivated Kings & Queens partner on STEAM education

The Citizen Science Lab and Young Black Motivated Kings & Queens began a five-year partnership on March 21 to empower Penn Hills youth through STEAM Education. The partnership kicked off at DeAvry A. Thomas Community Center in Penn Hills, where students were guided in creating a science experiment, fondly called “Puffy Pow.”

“Today marks a historic moment. We are deeply committed to introducing our youth to the world of science and the myriad opportunities it presents,” said Andre Samuel, president and founder of The Citizen Science Lab. “Expanding our programming in collaboration with a longstanding partner and establishing a more permanent presence in their facility aligns perfectly with our initial vision.”

The Citizen Science Lab, located in the Hill District and South Hills, has provided STEAM education to more than 7,000 Pittsburgh residents since 2015. This collaboration with YMBKQ will allow for the breaking of barriers and ensure the future of STEAM includes more Black and brown people.

“This solidifies that our model works. There is a need for the programming that is there, and the only way to get this done is through partnerships,” Samuel said.

“Puffy Pow” is a favorite of Samuel’s — students combined two liquids that crosslinked to form a chemical reaction that produced heat and gas and expanded the amount of liquid they were given by 10 times.

They used polyisocyanates.

“This is the way traditional foam is made,” Samuel said. “Seat cushions and helmets, it really has an applicable point to it. A lot of common things that we use, this is how they are made.”

“A lot of our young people don’t get the opportunity to experience something like this or see something like this. It feels really good to partner with The Citizen Science Lab to have them be part of what will happen for our young people,” said Kahlil Darden Jr., CEO and founder of YBMKQ.

Darden hopes the students can learn more about STEM and, as they get older, pursue STEM careers. The programming will take place five days a week at DeAvry A. Thomas Community Center after school.

“I mixed the two chemicals. It floated up. It’s interesting that you can make stuff, and I want to keep trying it,” said Kaiden Nelson, 12, a student at Linton Middle School.

Added Cyanne Clinton, 14, also a Linton student: “This was fun. I never knew this type of science actually existed.”

“Seeing a scientist who looks like them and who has his own company, is inspiring to the kids,” said Keonna Rawlings, youth engagement coordinator at YBMKQ. “It also introduces the kids to something new, showing them the fun aspects of science and that this can be a career choice.”