Future Advancers of
Science & Technology
Connecting professional scientists, engineers, and artists with high school students to tackle big problems and create amazing projects
Expanding possibilities for students from disenfranchised or under-resourced communities to shape the future
Our Mission
To support historically disenfranchised or under-resourced high school students as they pursue open questions in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) fields and become the next generation of innovators. Students work with mentors to develop and carry out research projects based on the students’ own passions or curiosities. Through working on original projects and receiving long-term mentorship from practicing scientists, students are exposed to new ways of thinking, new career paths, and inspiration to pursue lifelong learning.
What We Do
FAST builds programs where mentors and high school students work together on novel, long-term (6-12 month), curiosity-driven projects in STEAM fields - inventing, creating, or discovering something entirely new. Students can be mentored by any practicing scientist. FAST utilizes long-term mentorship and project-based learning to cultivate lasting, supportive relationships and empower students.
FAST is a community of professional scientists and educators from across STEAM fields working to enable student-driven research projects, discoveries, and inventions.
Who We Are
If you came here already knowing you want to support FAST: Help grow the FAST community! Every $10,000 allows us to seed a new FAST chapter. Every $100 funds a student project.
If you are interested in starting a FAST chapter, volunteering for the program, partnering with us, or chatting with our team, fill out the form above and we'll be in touch!
Students & mentors meet at participating high schools for half-day Saturday sessions September through March.
The FAST Method
RECRUITMENT
Chapter leaders recruit students from participating high schools to participate in the program through school fairs, science class presentations, and invitation letters.
SATURDAY SESSIONS, ~2x/month
BRAINSTORMING
Students meet with mentors across STEAM fields to develop a novel research or design project that excites them.
PROJECT WORK
Students carry out experiments or prototyping with a dedicated mentor
DATA ANALYSIS
Students work with their mentor to analyze their results and develop a presentation about their work
SYMPOSIUM
Students share their work with other participants and the broader research community through an end-of-year symposium and at local science fairs
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