Meet Kaliya | Self-eSTEM Impact Story

In 2017, at just seven years old Kaylia joined Self-eSTEM a young innovator eager to explore over the years, Kaylia has found more than a program she’s found a family. “The uniqueness of Self-eSTEM is what made me come back,” she shared. “It’s like a family here.” Through hands-on projects, mentorship, and community support, she’s grown into a confident, creative young leader who knows her voice and ideas matter.

“I felt like I couldn’t do anything growing up, like I was just confined to a box. But being here and being exposed to all the different things makes me feel like I can do whatever I want when I grow up. I can be whatever I want to be.”

From building new skills to connecting with peers who share her curiosity, Self-eSTEM has given Kaylia the confidence to believe that her future has no limits. What began as a summer experience has become a foundation for self-belief and lifelong empowerment. Even after her family relocated outside of Oakland following the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of Self-eSTEM stayed with her. In 2024, she asked her family to make the commute back so she could rejoin the community that shaped her sense of identity and belonging.

Today, Kaylia is a proud Self-eSTEM Innovator still learning, still leading, and still becoming! Her story reflects what happens when girls are given the freedom to explore who they are and what they’re capable of becoming.

Help more girls like Kaylia thrive in STEM.

Your support fuels the confidence, curiosity, and leadership of youth and young adults who are often overlooked in traditional educational spaces. By investing in Self-eSTEM’s mission, you’re creating access, opportunity, and community for the next generation of innovators.

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At Self-eSTEM, we believe in empowering the next generation of youth and young adults to succeed in STEM. Visit www.selfestem.org to learn how you can contribute through donations, volunteer opportunities, and mentorship.Together, we can create a future where every youth and young adult has the opportunity to thrive in STEM.

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