Seeds of Success: Empowering Students in STEM Through Mentoring, Access and Leadership

Yale University, New Haven CT

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) degrees provide access to rewarding, highly remunerated careers, and the opportunity to contribute solutions to society’s problems. Unfortunately, students from low-income environments confront challenges to entering and contributing to the STEM workforce. A lack of relatable role models, mentors, and early exposure to STEM have been suggested to deter middle school students away from STEM interests. This project will examine the effect of Seeds of Success, an out-of-school intervention designed to inspire students to consider careers in STEM by countering stereotypes through relatable role models; enhancing STEM self-efficacy through STEM workshops and activities; and encouraging alignment between societal and STEM identities through place-based STEM projects. A total of 160 middle school students will be recruited every year to participate in mirror programs in Puerto Rico and New Haven, CT, two populations with high percentages of low-income students. Students will receive mentoring from STEM professionals and will interact via webinars with additional STEM role models to learn more about STEM careers. In addition, students will be exposed to engineering, life sciences, and computer science concepts through online and in-person activities and workshops that promote critical thinking. Finally, students will be empowered to undertake STEM Ambassadors projects that allow them to reach local populations through science. We hypothesize that the program will increase STEM interest, science self-efficacy, and science-identity—potentially benefiting future career decisions. Effect will be measured with surveys administered before and after the program to participants and a control group. Longer-term follow-up surveys will track sustained impacts on high school graduation, college entrance, and choice of major. In addition to the 800 students that the program will impact directly, at least 20,000 additional students and individuals will be impacted through the STEM Ambassadors projects and the STEM role model webinars that will be shared live and on YouTube. Thus, by implementing these socially relevant, asset-based STEM engagement strategies, Seeds of Success will improve the STEM outcomes of students in high-need communities and retain the talent we need in the 21st century.