St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy was founded in 2013 by Mr. Rick Greer, a K-12 Education Specialist, and Dr. Jerrod Henderson, an Assistant Professor in the department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. The academy introduces fourth and fifth grade students to STEM through hands-on experiments and inquiry-based learning. Its mission is to empower the youth to explore STEM and become the next generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.
Students engage in a 16 week after-school program (8 weeks in the fall and 8 weeks in the spring), where they explore STEM topics and learn about industry trailblazers. The academy emphasizes mentorship by connecting students with role models, university STEM students, and the greater Houston community. In partnership with elementary teachers, the curriculum is designed to align with both National and State Science and Math Standards, with a focus on engineering and technology.
The St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy is named after the first African American in the U.S. to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry. Born in Kentucky, St. Elmo Brady earned his doctoral degree from the University of Illinois in 1916. As a student, he was a member of Phi Lambda Upsilon, the chemical honor society, and was among the first to be included in Sigma X, the Scientific Research Society. Brady went on to teach and conduct research at Tuskegee University, Howard University and other colleges. He strived to build strong undergraduate curricula and boost fundraising at historically black colleges. Brady was also known for advancing the field of spectroscopy.