Columbia Space Center Brings STEM Opportunities Closer to Inglewood Youth

The Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey showcased its educational programs during the annual City of STEM event on Saturday, April 12, offering resources that could benefit science-minded students from Inglewood and surrounding communities.

Located just 12 miles from Inglewood, the space center provides a variety of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs accessible to students throughout the Los Angeles region, including specialized initiatives designed to encourage girls to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.

At the City of STEM event, the space center’s booth featured interactive activities and demonstrations, including rocket-building exercises that taught fundamental physics concepts in an engaging way.

“So as they’re pulling the rubber band as tightly as they can, they’re creating potential energy for the rocket,” explained Kevin Tran, a museum facilitator at the space center. “Once they let it go, all that potential energy becomes kinetic, and that allows your rocket to shoot through the air.”

For Inglewood and Compton families looking for educational weekend activities, the space center hosts regular astronomy nights on the first Friday of each month. These events feature guest speakers and provide opportunities for visitors to use telescopes and learn about astronomy.

Of particular interest to local educators and parents is the center’s Girls in STEM program, which creates a supportive environment for girls to explore STEM concepts and develop skills in areas like engineering.

“We’re designing and constructing rollercoasters with the girls, just to expose them to STEM cultures so they don’t feel anxious when they encounter the field when they’re older,” said Angelina Serrano, a coordinator for Girls in STEM. “Girls aren’t exposed to the engineering part of STEM; they just think it’s numbers and coding. By dismantling that system, the girls are more prone and feel confident in themselves.”

Twelve-year-old Lela Gillian, a participant in the Girls in STEM program, emphasized the importance of these opportunities: “I think that women should be going into the STEM field. I feel like it’s important that women should be getting out there and trying bigger things.”

For Inglewood Unified School District educators looking to enhance science education opportunities, the space center represents a valuable regional resource that complements classroom learning. Several Inglewood schools have organized field trips to the center in recent years, giving students hands-on experiences with scientific concepts.

The Downey Space Center is located at 12400 Columbia Way, approximately a 20-minute drive from central Inglewood. The center offers various programs for children and adults interested in STEM fields and could provide valuable educational opportunities for local students considering careers in science and technology.

More information about upcoming programs and events can be found on the Columbia Memorial Space Center website.

This story draws on reporting by Vincent Medina, published April 17, 2025.