The Students Optimizing Aerial Robotic Skills (SOARS) project is a weekly after-school science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program conducted by United Way of the River Cities and hosted at River Hills Community Center in Ironton. Funding through the Cause Connector pilot project specifically provided funds for program participants to enter the FIRST LEGO League Challenge, for which participants research a real-world problem and apply STEM concepts and imagination to devise a solution.

The SOARS program engages students in the Ironton Metropolitan Housing complex who often come from families that might find it difficult to pay for enrichment programs like this one, making financial support crucial to student participation.

Exposing students to STEM education at an early age introduces students to possible future careers while engaging them in the critical subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math using real-world scenarios. Additionally, this program provides after-school programming to students, which can make a positive difference for student achievement, especially for students facing challenges at home.