From Columbus and the Valley, October 2018
“There is nothing formal in my background that points to all of this,” said Robbie Branscomb of her position as chief executive officer of Let’s Grow STEAMx. She was working as events coordinator at the Columbus Civic Center when the lightning bolt hit. While creating an educational component for the community fair, Branscomb visualized the STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) educational challenge.
“It was what I saw for the next generation (through the concept of STEAM) which intrigued me. I wanted to make sure every child in our community had access to the offerings of STEAM so they could be inspired to develop a love of lifelong learning through it.” Although she never expected to get this involved in what started as a work project, Branscomb said, “Let’s Grow STEAMx is very rewarding and the thirst of the children for continued learning drives me and my partners to do more.” She said letters of thanks and suggestions from the children and parents make it all worthwhile.
“I go to bed fulfilled, satisfied,” she said with a huge smile. Branscomb partnered with two long-time friends, Leshan Ferguson, an educator and Tashee Singleton, an accountant. The three formalized Let’s Grow STEAMx as a non-profit and set out to create an educational platform that connects youth ages 5-18 with informal STEAM-based learning through fun activities and community events.