Bits and Bytes STEM Foundation

Congratulations to our Board President, Kim LaVare, who is indeed a distinguished leader and an exceptional example of a compassionate changemaker for young girls and women to learn from. We are pleased to have her lead the Bits and Bytes STEM Foundation as a founder and president during these formative, growth years. This honor and acknowledgment are well deserved. Thank you for your commitment to service.

Access to STEM starts with early experiences, strong mentorship, and visible role models. On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, NGCP highlights why collaboration and shared resources matter in creating pathways for girls in science. Take a few minutes to read and explore the resources featured in this post: https://buff.ly/Z9Pccdz

Every year’s SSRE introduces students to Corning’s worldclass people and facilities---and introduces Corning to amazing future STEMists so help spread the word! Interested students can apply online or simply download the attached application, complete it and email it to [email protected]. Application deadline: April 3, 2026

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=BR5qs2JKK0SDz9vdbXgQ5Pe2HZec9hpLnhe81nso-sxUNjk5SzFIMTVDNDJCWlpIQkpRUERNN081Ry4u

You can also follow on Instagram to see more.

BitsandBytesSTEMFDN

On February 19th, as we celebrate Black History Month, Bits and Bytes STEM Foundation has partnered with the African American employee group at M&T Bank and its Tech Academy to host a event. This event is designed for middle school students in grades 5-8 to engage in fun STEM challenges, coding, digital skills, an engineering design mindset, and hands-on, collaborative experiences. Scan the QR code to register! ,

🚀 Attention all budding STEM stars! 🌟 We're recruiting youth in grades 6-8 for our Bits & Bytes Rising STEM Leaders cohort starting February 2026! Join us for an exciting journey of peer mentorship, STEM exploration, and work-readiness skills. Don't miss your chance to shine bright! 🌈 Sign up today! 👉 https://forms.gle/aPrxji1C3QPFyf9CA

Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—a beacon of courage, dignity, and unwavering commitment to justice. His life's work remains profoundly relevant because the struggle for freedom, equality, and human rights is ongoing. Dr. King reminded us that change is built on courage, nonviolence, and the belief that every person deserves dignity and a fair chance to thrive. His leadership challenged systems of oppression, exposed the roots of racial and economic injustice, and inspired generations to organize, speak out, and take action in the name of a more just society.
Key relevance:
Nonviolence and persistent advocacy: Dr. King showed that sustained, peaceful activism can drive meaningful change, even in the face of profound resistance.
Interconnected justice: His insight that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” highlights how local harms echo globally and how solidarity unlocks collective progress.
Moral courage: Choosing truth-telling, empathy, and noncooperation with unjust systems remains a powerful blueprint for ethical leadership.
Equity and opportunity: His work on civil rights, voting rights, economic justice, and educational access continues to inform movements for fair housing, criminal justice reform, and healthcare equity.
Community organizing: He demonstrated the impact of coalition-building, faith and moral imagination, and strategic communication in mobilizing communities.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.”

The application deadline is approaching... The application deadline for our High School Tech Internship Program is February 6, 2026. This paid opportunity is designed for current juniors and seniors who are curious about technology, eager to build professional skills, and interested in exploring future career pathways.

If you know students who would benefit from hands‑on experience, mentorship, and exposure to real‑world tech projects, please share the application details with them and encourage them to apply!

Program Highlights:

Dates: July 6 – August 14, 2026
Location: Tech Hub @ Seneca One
Paid Internship: $18/hour
Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (20 hours/week)
Cohort Size: 20 students
Focus Areas:

Web Development Foundations – Learn the fundamental programming languages used to build websites
Tech Career Exploration: Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data, Product Design
Professional Development: Agile Practices & Tools, Communication, Collaboration, Project Management, Public Speaking, Time Management, Leadership Skills
Mentorship with Industry Professionals
Community Engagement & Hands-on Group Projects
Student Persona:

Deep interest in technology and tech careers
Aptitude and desire to learn (prior experience not required)
Important Dates:

Application Deadline: February 6, 2026
Interview Day for Selected Students: Thursday, February 17, 2026
Eligibility:

Current juniors and seniors
NYS working papers (if under 18)
Must be able to participate in person

Thanks for your Support!