Upcoming Classes
Middle, High School
RISE Aero Aviation — Fall 2026 Cohort
Grades 8–12
Age Group:
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Time:
Location:
Fort Meade Executive Airport
7515 General Aviation Drive
Fort Meade, MD 20755
Session Dates:
10/22/2026, 10/29/2026, 11/05/2026, 11/12/2026, 11/19/2026, 12/03/2026, 12/10/2026, 12/17/2026
Explore aviation through hands-on STEM activities, flight simulations, drone labs, and real-world aerospace experiences. Grades 8–12. Eight Thursday meetings, 4:00–5:30 PM.
Choose Pilot/Aviator, Aircraft Maintenance, Air Traffic Control, or Drone Operations. Maximum 24 students, six per track. $20 lab fee for the cohort; scholarships available. No class November 26.
Elementary
A RISE STEM Lab: MSG Allstars — Math, Games & Sports
3-5 (8-11)
Age Group:
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Time:
Location:
Arundel Middle School
1179 Hammond Ln
Odenton, MD 21113
Session Dates:
12/01/2026, 12/03/2026, 12/08/2026, 12/10/2026
Ready. Aim. Calculate. Play!
Students discover the math inside sports and games through targets, relays, patterns, scores, measurements, and strategy. They measure distances, calculate scores, analyze results, and solve hands-on challenges while building teamwork, critical thinking, and confidence. Math becomes a tool for understanding and improving their performance.
Elementary
A RISE STEM Lab: Pixel Picasso — AI & Art
K-5 (5-11)
Age Group:
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Time:
Location:
Arundel Middle School
1179 Hammond Ln
Odenton, MD 21113
Session Dates:
01/12/2027, 01/26/2027, 02/02/2027, 02/09/2027
Turn imagination into digital creations! Students use AI to create original artwork, stories, music, and animation while exploring prompt engineering, digital storytelling, and responsible AI.
Hands-on projects build creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills as students bring their ideas together into a cartoon or short digital project. No experience required—just imagination!
Elementary
A RISE STEM Lab: Motion & Mystery — Grades 3–5
3-5 (8-11)
Age Group:
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Time:
Location:
Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church
8424 Piney Orchard Parkway
Odenton, MD 21113
Session Dates:
11/05/2026, 11/12/2026, 11/19/2026, 12/03/2026
Investigate the science of motion and flight! Students design, build, test, and improve paper airplanes, rockets, parachutes, and other flying creations while exploring lift, drag, thrust, gravity, and air resistance.
Using the engineering design process, students make predictions, measure and compare results, collect data, and investigate how design changes affect the way objects move.
Elementary
A RISE STEM Lab: The Science of Crochet — Get Hooked
3-5 (8-11)
Age Group:
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Time:
Location:
Arundel Middle School
1179 Hammond Ln
Odenton, MD 21113
Session Dates:
01/11/2027, 01/25/2027, 02/01/2027, 02/08/2027
Get hooked on STEM! Students discover the science, math, and engineering hidden in crochet while learning basic stitches and creating with yarn. They explore patterns, measurement, geometry, tension, fibers, and how repeating loops form structures.
Hands-on projects build fine-motor skills, patience, creativity, and problem-solving. No crochet experience required!
Middle
RISE STEM: Tech Titans — Build Your Own Mini Computer / Cyberdeck
6-8 (12-14)
Age Group:
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Time:
Location:
Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church
8424 Piney Orchard Parkway
Odenton, MD 21113
Session Dates:
01/14/2027, 01/21/2027, 01/28/2027, 02/04/2027
Build your understanding of computers from the inside out! Students assemble computer components, explore how CPUs, RAM, storage, and power systems work together, and practice software setup and troubleshooting.
Adapted from Tech Titans, this hands-on hardware program develops foundational technology skills and introduces cybersecurity basics.
Real Impact. Real Students. Real Change.
Since 2023, We're
Expanding Access:
3600+
Students,Young Adults and Parents Served
Building Community:
33+
Participant in Community Outreach Events
Creating Innovators:
9
Signature STEM Programs Developed
Real Impact. Real Students. Real Change.
Sapphire Rise thrives because of passionate people like you — parents, educators, professionals, and community partners who believe every child deserves access to innovation and opportunity. Whether you mentor a student, sponsor a program, or host a community event, your involvement helps us create a generation of confident, capable innovators.
Explore What We Offer
From Classrooms to Career Paths — STEM That Inspires Every Learner.
The RISE STEM Academy offers hybrid courses designed to ignite creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in students from elementary through high school. From coding and Artificial Intelligence, Biotech Wellness and more, learners explore the technologies shaping tomorrow’s world—today.
Workforce Readiness & Career Pathways
Through our Tech and You and Beyond 12 initiatives, students aged 14 to 24 gain practical insights into engineering, technology, and other STEM careers. These programs offer resume-building certifications and mentorship opportunities with industry professionals. By participating, young people develop the confidence, skills, and networks necessary to succeed in the workforce.
Get Involved — “Be Part of the Rise”
Every action helps a child rise higher.
Sapphire Rise thrives because of passionate people like you — parents, educators, professionals, and community partners who believe every child deserves access to innovation and opportunity. Whether you mentor a student, sponsor a program, or host a community event, your involvement helps us create a generation of confident, capable innovators.
Voices From Our Students
Elijah W.
“Before Tech and You, I wasn’t sure if I wanted a STEM career. Now, I’m inspired to keep learning coding and design.”
Tech and You
High School - Young Adult
STUDENT
Testimonial
Stay Connected — “Join the Movement”
News & Highlights —
“What’s Happening at Sapphire Rise”
Innovation in Action.
“The greatest challenge I faced in becoming a neurosurgeon was believing it was possible.”
— Dr. Alexa Irene Canady
Alexa Irene Canady, MD, became America’s first Black female neurosurgeon in 1981. She was also the first woman and the first Black person to be a surgical intern at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
