2016 ANNUAL REPORT
and a look ahead to Q1-Q2 of 2017
Accelerating the STEM Workforce
Dear Friends,
In 2016 we made significant strides toward scaling and replicating our STEM accelerator model nationally.
We made progress toward establishing new STEM Ecosystems, with the results being a Base 11 Innovation Center that opened in 2017 in Southern California and another one on track to open in Phoenix in 2018. We even opened a mini-innovation center at a high school in Philadelphia, positioning Base 11 even earlier in the school-to-STEM pipeline.
Additionally, cohorts of students piloted two new programs, the STEM Entrepreneur program, and an academic-year internship at our flagship university partners.
Already, 2017 is off to a great start thanks to support from Dassault Systemes and the Deloitte Foundation. Through our philanthropic, corporate and academic relationships we have launched a STEM career accelerator model to bring together students, employers and educators with high-impact programs and resources that put students on a direct path to STEM career success.
The most rewarding payoff we see is in the faces of our Victory Circle members, whose numbers continue to grow both as we add programs and partners, and as our students continue on their pathways to STEM career success, matriculating to universities and being hired in well-paid STEM jobs.
We look forward to what the future will bring, and thank you for being part of our mission to build a sustainable middle class in America made up of all Americans.
Sincerely,
Landon Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
STEM Ecosystems
Base 11 establishes fully integrated STEM ecosystems anchored by a Base 11 Innovation Center.
These ecosystems bring together students, academic institutions and industry partners to lay out a direct pathway to STEM career success.
Base 11 Innovation Centers
Base 11 Innovation Centers feature an MIT-inspired Fab Lab, and enable hands-on, project based learning designed to empower students with the STEM 2.0 skills that are most in-demand by industry.
Rapid prototyping tools in the innovation centers includes computer-controlled lasercutters, milling machines, vinyl cutters, programming and testing stations - equipment that makes it possible for students to design and build almost anything they can imagine. This equipment, combined with project-based training from Base 11 and its academic partners, as well as innovation challenges offered by industry partners, serve to create the perfectly well-rounded experience that prepare future STEM talent for real-world success.
The Victory Circle
Students achieve the Victory Circle when they complete a Base 11 program or finish a project in the Base 11 Innovation Center, which equips them with the skills necessary for STEM success at a four-year university, a major corporation, or as an entrepreneur.
Academic-year Internships
The inaugural cohort of Base 11 academic-year interns began in fall 2016 at Caltech and UCI, and a second cohort started at USC. Depending on their program, students participated in a mini space challenge, helped build a rocket, visited state-of-the-art labs, and learned programming. Most rewarding they worked side-by-side with graduate student mentors.
"My biggest takeaway from the program has to be self-advocacy... That is life changing to me."
- Tamara Mmbuka, Santa Monica College
"This experience has made it more realistic for me to go to grad school."
- Alfonso Mares, Pasadena City College
"Since completing the Base 11 internship, I feel like I'm on the same playing field as everyone else. And I know if I continue, I will get ahead of the curve."
- Maria Hernandez, Santa Monica College
STEM Entrepreneur Program
In 2016, Base 11 piloted its much-anticipated STEM Entrepreneur program, featuring the advice of success guru Darren Hardy, the former publisher of SUCCESS magazine and a New York Times bestselling author.
"I'm already a small business owner, but the Base 11 program allowed me to expand my business and file patents for my innovation."
- Robert Alsobrook, Grossmont College student
"Without hesitation I decided to take [the STEM Entrepreneur course], and I think it has been one of the best decisions I've made since coming here,"
- Eduardo Jauregui, Skyline College student
Workforce Development: Springboard
A dozen students completed the 8-month Springboard technology workforce development program in San Francisco and started paid apprenticeships at Ellie Mae and Visa.
The Springboard curriculum, developed by Base 11, included preparation for professional certifications, college-credit courses as well as life skills training.
The San Francisco Business Journal covered the program's launch with noting the "lofty goal of placing 100,000 black young adults in STEM careers across the country within the next 10 years," adding that with support the program has from corporations, "they just might be able to pull it off."
Workforce Development: Drone Flight
Nine students from Detroit Public Schools completed their remote pilot training, gaining the skills necessary to fly unmanned aerial systems, or drones. Offered by Base 11 as a workforce development program, the training was coordinated and delivered by Aerodrome* staff, using Aerodrome's proprietary Part 107 courseware.
"Day one of class most of them admitted to never even considering pursuing a career in aviation," said Captain Christopher Meyer, who taught the course. "And now I have six students who received their FAA Remote Pilots Licenses and are seriously contemplating aviation as their sole career path."
*Base 11 owns a majority interest in Aerodrome LLC.
Looking Ahead: New Collaborations
In April 2017, the Deloitte Foundation announced a grant to Base 11 to establish a national STEM career accelerator model for high schools. The program will be piloted beginning in the fall at Cristo Rey Philadelphia, a private high school that serves low-income students.
"The Deloitte Foundation is excited by Base 11's innovative approach to producing the next generation of STEM talent," said Tonie Leatherberry, president of the Deloitte Foundation. "Hands-on engineering projects not only provide students with the real-world technical skills they need, but the soft skills essential to succeed in the 21st century."
Base 11 will create a STEM accelerator ecosystem at the school, including the installation of state-of- the-art, industry-level design and rapid-prototyping equipment, specialized training for the faculty, and experiential curriculum developed in partnership with the UCI Samueli School of Engineering.
Read More
Cristo Rey math teacher Lauren Mifsud designed and built a drone at UCI as training for the Base 11 program she will help pilot at her school in the fall.
Awards & Honors
"By fueling ingenuity in our students, we make certain that America continues to be a beacon of light in innovation and diversity, ensuring that students from all walks of life will have the opportunity to reach their greatest potential."
-- Landon Taylor, CEO, Base 11
2016 OCBJ Innovator of the Year Nominee
2017 UCI Ingenuity Award
BASE 11 - STRATEGIC ROAD MAP
STEM Accelerator Network Members
2016 Financial Summary
Base 11 is focused on accelerating 11,000 students into the Victory Circle by 2020. To do this, the vast majority (76%) of our total $2,123,970.18 in revenues & allocations was invested directly into facilities, equipment and programs for students and the partners who empower them. The 2% of funds invested in marketing focused on accelerating our reach and raising awareness. The 21% administrative spending was invested in world-class management and staff focused on executing our bold vision.
Total Revenues & Allocations:
$2,123,970.18
