DALLAS — A local scientist is asking for the community’s help in identifying the thieves who stole a trailer and mobile STEM lab that belongs to his nonprofit.
Branden Williams, also known as The Bearded Scientist, is with the nonprofit Seeds 2 STEM. The education firm’s mission is to helps kids reimagine the way they think about science. Seeds 2 STEM works with schools in underserved communities and uses a hands-on and innovative approach to helping expose students to the science and STEM space.
“We're providing enrichment or after school programming to a handful of schools in the southern sector,” Williams explained.
The organization is facing a major setback. Williams said the Seeds 2 STEM trailer was stolen from a storage facility where it was parked on South Hampton Road in Dallas.
“Every single thing we own was on this trailer. Down to our generator, every table we own,” Williams said.
The theft happened Feb. 7 during the recent ice storms. Williams said he learned the storage facility’s gate was left open.
“All of the supplies for the afterschool program was on there as well. And it completely derailed everything we had going on,” Williams added.
Now, with just 11 weeks left in the afterschool program, the Seeds 2 STEM team is wondering what to do. Williams said he reported the theft to Dallas Police Department.
Generous community members are shipping in supplies to help Seeds 2 STEM continue its work with the students, temporarily.
For now, Williams is urging the community to keep an eye out for the black 21-foot trailer, while sending a strong message to the thieves.
“They didn't derail the purpose God has for me. It's a minor setback, but it's a set-up for success,” Williams said.
For more information about Seeds 2 STEM or for ways to help the nonprofit with supplies, contact 1-866-783-6338 or info@seeds2stem.net.