NSBE Jr. / Pre-College Initiative
NSBE Jr. is the K-12 arm of the National Society of Black Engineers, running local chapters (including one at Richmond High School in the Bay Area) that provide hands-on STEM activities, mentorship, competitions, and college/career preparation for students interested in engineering. Students without a local chapter can join as an 'At-Large' member nationally.
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Fresno State Lyles College of Engineering Summer Engineering Experience Camp
A one-week, in-person summer camp hosted by Fresno State's Lyles College of Engineering that introduces students in grades 9-12 to hands-on engineering, architectural, and construction management activities, taught by faculty and industry professionals.
Young Makers Program
Young Makers pairs youth ages 8-18 with adult mentors in small clubs to design and build a self-chosen, open-ended engineering or making project over a season, culminating in an exhibition at Bay Area Maker Faire.
ACE Mentor Program - San Francisco Bay Area
A free after-school mentorship program pairing Bay Area high school students (grades 9-12) with volunteer architects, engineers, and contractors. Teams work through mock building-design projects, visit real job sites and professional offices, and present their solutions at a year-end showcase.
California 4-H Youth Development Program
The University of California's statewide youth development organization, active in every California county, offering hands-on projects in agriculture, animal science, STEAM, leadership, and healthy living through local community clubs. Members ages 5-18 take on individual and group agricultural projects, often exhibiting livestock and produce at county fairs.
California FFA Association
The California state association of the National FFA Organization, a school-based agricultural education and leadership organization serving over 108,000 student members across 366 chapters statewide, from urban Bay Area schools to rural Central Valley programs. Members combine classroom agricultural instruction, a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project, and FFA leadership activities, competing in career development events from local to national levels.
Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program (California Wing)
Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force; its Cadet Program lets youth ages 12-18 train in aerospace education, leadership, and emergency services, including orientation flights in CAP aircraft. California Wing operates dozens of local squadrons across Northern California offering weekly meetings, encampments, and flight training opportunities.