The Columbia STEM Alliance (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) was founded in 2017 with the idea that businesses, government, and higher education must directly support K-12 STEM programs that are relevant to workforce development needs and increase career opportunities for students in our community based on improving science and math proficiencies.  Due to significant contributions of STEM knowledge and capabilities as a major driver of business and industry vitality and innovation, a region’s STEM workforce has a major impact on a community’s economic competitiveness. Since our founding, the CSA has established an excellent reputation for providing high quality, accessible, and affordable STEM education programs to encourage Columbia area youth in becoming more comfortable with and gain proficiency in using science and math concepts, and how these capabilities can be applied to viewing our world and creatively solving problems.