WNBA Star Angel Reese Launches STEM Program for Female Student Athletes at Living Classrooms Crossroads Middle School

Angel Reese, professional WNBA athlete, Baltimore native, and founder of the Angel C. Reese Foundation, surprised Living Classrooms Crossroads Middle School students with a special visit this spring, joining the culminating celebration of HER Lab, a STEM program designed for Crossroads Middle School female student-athletes, created in collaboration with Project Scientist and 2K Foundations.

The program introduces young women to career paths where they are underrepresented through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Over the course of the program, students explored coding, music production, STEM in cosmetics and fashion, sports-based STEM applications, the aerodynamics of hair braiding and African braid culture, and career exploration.

On April 10th, Living Classrooms held a high-energy STEM and basketball–themed event celebrating our students hard work during the program. Through a series of interactive challenges, students measured the bounce of a basketball, tested their vertical jump, designed innovative basketball shoes, and measured their reaction times. Our girls were engaged and demonstrated their new skills and knowledge.

Angel who attended St. Frances Academy and spent time at our UA House community center as a young athlete, spoke to our Crossroads students to close out the event, sharing her personal journey and speaking eloquently about the importance of STEM opportunities for our Crossroads girls. She emphasized the need for more women in STEM fields and the importance of representation as women still only make up about 35% of STEM jobs in the United States. Angel is a role model for our students, inspiring them as she spoke about how to rebuild confidence, finding your life path, and the projects she is currently working on. She reminded our students to dream big and always believe in themselves and their intelligence!

We are grateful for the $25,000 grant from the Angel C. Reese Foundation, in partnership with Project Scientist and 2K Foundations, which made this experience possible.