Our Story

OCMC

In 2007, Orange County Math Circle (OCMC) was founded as a Local Programs Initiative of the Art of Problem Solving Foundation. The organization was created as student-run community service organization where math enthusiasts could both explore advanced problem-solving topics and bring the math circle experience to underserved students in Orange County, California. By integrating learning and teaching, OCMC members strived to strengthen math culture in the community and make math resources accessible to all. Soon, OCMC had grown from an operation with five volunteers to a small army of over 50 devoted volunteers from 30 schools. It offered lectures, tournaments, and special events, serving more than 1,000 students from 75 schools.

Math for Service

As OCMC expanded, the organization evolved into Math for Service. In 2011, Math for Service, Inc. was incorporated to incubate and sustain community service projects led by other high school students. The next year, Math for Service, Inc. was granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS. Consequently, it assumed administrative responsibility of OCMC from AoPS Foundation. Three years later, Math for Service began branching out of math by adding the umbrella organizations OC Scholar and OC Coder. This, combined with the growing interests of students and volunteers in other fields such as science and rocketry, led to the revitalization of Math for Service, Inc., as an umbrella organization dedicated to providing resources and experience to the new student run community service organizations.

STEAM for All

Math for Service was renamed as STEAM for All in 2018, an homage to its ever-expanding service ventures in all areas of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics). The same year, STEAM for All started its School Chapters operation. Starting from just a handful of small school clubs who volunteered at SFA events, the operation has since expanded to include more than 15 high schools around the county. Each hosted their own workshops and science fun nights to promote STEAM for All’s mission to their own respective local communities.

Age of Digital Learning

In the Spring of 2020, STEAM for All transitioned its service projects to be entirely online in the wake of COVID-19. As we move forward, STEAM for All will continue to host an array of service projects, designed to foster intellectual curiosity and a spirit of learning within our community.