STEM

When asked what they want to be when they grow up, rarely do children tell you they want to take up electrical engineering, biochemical research, or particle physics. But sometimes, somehow, somewhere along the line, that’s exactly what happens. All they need is the right inspiration. With mentorship, guidance and hands-on learning opportunities, Avnet has spent years passing on a love for science, technology, engineering and math to the next generation. Avnet believes that instilling a love for STEM in today’s youth will lead to a better, brighter, more sustainable tomorrow and we work hard to share our passion through programs across the world.

INSPIRING TOMORROW'S TECHNOLOGISTS

LITTLE FREE STEM LIBRARIES

A Little Free Library is a small, community-run library with books located in public places such as neighborhoods and parks. Little Free STEM Libraries provides STEM-themed kits to Little Free Libraries in rural areas around Arizona.

LITTLE FREE STEM LIBRARIES

STEM GRANTS

In 2024 Avnet awarded 30+ community grants focused on STEM. These financial incentives are designed to encourage children to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

STEM GRANTS

CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICERS PROGRAM

The Chief Science Officers Program is a part of the SciTech Institute, a nonprofit with a vision to establish a prosperous and equitable world wher STEM is within reach of everyone.

CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICERS PROGRAM

It seeks to enhance the workforce and employability skills of youths in grades 6-12 and foster a global network of diverse STEM leaders prepared for college, careers and civic engagement. Avnet has partnered with CSO to help expand the program globally, with positive results! Through Avnet's support, the program has grown from 800 – 1,500 youth and expanded to 6 countries around the globe and 15 states within the U.S. New this year - Avnet is supporting "mini grants" for CSOs. Youth will have the opportunity to apply for small grants to help fund their STEM projects.

The Chief Science Officer Program is a part of the SciTech Institute, a nonprofit with a vision to establish a prosperous and equitable world where STEM is within reach of everyone.

CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICERS PROGRAM

Avnet invests in the next generation of STEM dreamers because we believe that every child has the potential to create change. Through the programs we offer, we encourage them to learn, grow and think big--positioning them to become the next generation of engineers and scientists. Here are a few examples of how we support tomorrow's thinkers and inventors. There is no better time than now to inspire young adults to enter STEM fields.

SHARING OUR PASSION FOR STEM

Whether you are a beginner or already passionate about the field, here are more ways to engage, more places to be inspired, and more projects to tackle. Avnet Cares is the employee volunteer and charitable giving probram of Avnet. The focus areas of Avnet Cares include STEM education, DEI, Environment and Communities in Crisis.

"READY TO DIVE INTO STEM?"

LITTLE FREE STEM LIBRARIES

Avnet Cares partnered with Hackster.io as part of the Little Free STEM Library Project for a design challenge online contest inspiring individuals to add a technology component to a local little library. From a digital catalog, to reading rewards, to solar-powered doors, participants from across the globe showcased their creativity. Over 100 participants entered the contest with 4 winners being awarded STEM Library Starter Packs and e-gift cards, plus a feature in Avnet’s magazine. Watch the video of Raunak Singh who won for the Most Over-Engineered Library.

LITTLE FREE STEM LIBRARY CHALLENGE

Avnet Cares became involved in the Litle Free STEM Library Project in 2022. Since that time, Avnet employees have grown the program across the U.S. The program started with the delivery of STEM kits to rural Arizona being distributed by the SciTech Institute out of Tempe, AZ. With the help of Avnet, the kits now reach ten additional states where Avnet employees assemble the kits and then hand-deliver them to free little libraries in their communities. Avnet pitches in to help each quarter, which doubles the amount of STEM kits in distribution each time. Over 150 Avnet employee have participated in the effort. Watch the video to see how Avnet is making a difference.

INSPIRING TOMORROW'S TECHNOLOGISTS

MICROBIT

The micro:bit educational foundation has impacted 52 million youth with the device and has reached kids in over 60 countries. The foundation hopes to inspire every child by making computing fun and meaningful from beginners to experienced coders.

MICROBIT

Avnet Cares hosted a micro:bit coding class for youth at their Corporate Headquarters. The BBC micro:bit is a tiny, micro-sized computer designed to excite and appeal to a broad range of young people including those who might have thought tech was not for them. The youth learned practical skills for creating, testing, and transferring code to micro:bits. The class adapted code on a laptop which was thenmicro downloaded to the micro:bit. The kids were able to explore a number of activities, from adding their name to the micro:bit to playing a dice game with the device.

micro:bit

Hackster.io, an Avnet community, is the world's fastest-growing developer for learning, programming and building hardware.

FREE LITTLE STEM LIBRARY PROJECT