Impact Projects: Top 3 Projects From Yale Students

Struggling to choose a project idea?

This is the second part of our project inspiration series. This week, we’re highlighting three additional initiatives launched by current Yale students. These projects were chosen as good starting points for your own student initiative brainstorming.

If you're a founder or member of these organizations, reach out for an interview!

Project 1: Live Music Helping Lives— The Power of Music

Official Site: https://www.powerofmusicih.org/

How it started

The founder was inspired by his grandmother, a professional singer and musician in her youth. She fostered his love for music and the joy it brings. The founder wanted to share this joy with more people like her: those particularly vulnerable to experiencing today’s isolation and loneliness. 

Mission

To enrich the lives of community members who are in need or isolated by providing them the joy and connectivity of music, presented by high-school students.

Pillars 

1. Connect with and perform live music for disconnected/isolated community members

2. Use the power of music to unite people, increase happiness, and improve physical and mental health

3. Contribute in-kind and monetary gifts to local organizations

Impact

• 15+ performances with local organizations

• Partnering with 3+ local associations 

• Established chapters at 3+ high schools and middle schools

Why it works

• Founder has a clear personal connection to music which shaped her life. She used that story to extend the same effect o her community

• Initiative had enough scale, demonstrating that the team was able to secure partnerships & expansions that would lead to long-term change

• Very tangible items/impact left behind — disconnected/isolated community members receive a direct music experience in addition to souvenirs that remind them of scheduled initiatives.

Project 2: Bridging the Gap for Young Girls in STEM — STEMuses

Official Site: https://www.stemusesinc.org/ 

How it started

The founder wanted to address the statistic that girls between 5th and 8th grade often lose their curiosity and interest in topics in STEM, thus not pursuing academic or professional careers at the same rates as boys. 

Mission

Support and encourage young middle school girls to pursue interests in STEM regardless of stigma and gender expectations.

Pillars 

1. Connect young girls with successful female professionals/mentors 

2. Provide academic support 

3. Provide scholarship opportunities for STEM summer camps, conferences, and programs 

Impact

Hosted inaugural STEM career fair:

1. Hosted 15+ women in STEM careers 

2. Engaged 50+ middle school girls

3. Held a panel and roundtable discussion with 4+ successful women in STEM

Why it works

• Focuses on addressing a specific statistic within gender inequality 

• Engages and promotes collaborations between age groups

• Good initiative that was timely for the rising interest in technology during the period.

Project 3: Accessible Coding for Middle Schoolers— Code With Me!

Official site: https://code-with-me.com/ 

How it started

The founders were interested in finding ways to use their Computer Science knowledge to equip kids in their community with skills not usually taught in the classroom. 

Mission

Provide educational coding content for elementary and middle school students.

Pillars 

1. Provide 1st-8th grade students with exposure to programming

2. Program is conducted online with accommodations available   

3. Instructed by students with Computer Science backgrounds and teaching experience

Impact 

• Featured in KATU ABC 2 News

• 9 schools participated in Summer 2020 session

• Donated portion of earnings to WHO’s COVID-19 Relief Fund

Why it works

• Founders apply their passion and expertise to their initiative  

• Program is accessible and inclusive

• Connects students across ages with an interest in coding

Key Takeaways

All three projects address a particularly focused issue. When you are creating your own idea, try to use these projects as a foundation, but challenge their impact.

Could they have done more to help their target audience?

Would you remember their story amongst of sea of other students launching similar initiatives?

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