KINBER Awarded Grant from Lancaster County STEM Alliance to Expand STEM Career Exploration and Community Impact

KINBER is proud to announce it has been awarded a grant from the Lancaster County STEM Alliance and the Steinman Foundation to develop its new NextGen Navigators program in three schools in the county. The Lancaster NextGen Navigators project will introduce high school students to tech career pathways while equipping them with digital literacy, troubleshooting, and coaching skills.  

Led by KINBER in partnership with IU13, this program will broaden student’s access to immersive STEM learning experiences through career exploration roundtables, while also driving community impact.  Through a digital navigator training program, high school students will be trained to help community members improve their digital skills and confidence in using technology. 

“We are honored to receive this support from the Lancaster County STEM Alliance,” said Nathan Flood, President and CEO of KINBER. “This grant empowers students to become leaders and changemakers in their own communities by improving digital access and opportunities to their neighbors in need.” 

By partnering with mentor teachers at the participating schools, KINBER will provide consistent support to ensure that students receive tech and IT career pathway exploration while also effectively apply their knowledge in service of others—building both technical skills and civic engagement. 

“The Lancaster County STEM Alliance is proud to support the NextGen Navigators program, which not only prepares students for future careers in technology but also empowers them to make a real impact in their communities.” said Dr. Lauren Miller, LCSA Executive Director. “This initiative exemplifies our commitment to creating equitable, hands-on STEM opportunities that build both technical skills and civic leadership.” 

Program implementation will begin in summer 2025, with training and implementation continuing through the 2025-2026 school year. The NextGen Navigators program is in collaboration with Connected Nation, and will leverage curriculum from TeensTeachTech, powered by AT&T.