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Local to Global STEAM Project

The Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Project is the educational arm of We Care Solar, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing sustainable energy solutions for equitable healthcare and education in underserved communities. Established in 2012, this immersive initiative fosters community engagement while highlighting the importance of sustainable living for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students worldwide.

This hands-on STEAM education program seamlessly integrates practical engineering skills with global humanitarian service, empowering students to construct and distribute Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Suitcases to schools in regions lacking reliable energy sources. The project actively involves educators and students in solar education initiatives, promoting a project-based learning approach.

Through our strategic partnership with the Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Project, the Office of Global Initiatives and Experiential Learning (OGIEL) creates immersive, hands-on learning opportunities in our travel programs. These experiences equip students with the skills needed to collaborate with international partners to expand the utilization of Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Suitcases in global communities. This collaborative effort encompasses interdisciplinary initiatives that include sustainable living, community leadership, clean solar energy, K-12 education, and public health.

The construction of Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Suitcases is undertaken by students from Newark Public High Schools, while teams of undergraduate and graduate students from the RU-N International Leadership Exchange (ILE) program manage their deployment in resource-constrained rural communities. To date, International Leadership Exchange teams, in conjunction with Newark Public Schools, have successfully deployed 32 Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Suitcases, executed 7 school revitalization projects, and initiated 5 community gardening restoration efforts. These endeavors have positively impacted over 40,000 individuals in Tanzania, Zanzibar, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, India, and Belize.