Forging pathways to
post-secondary STEM

The STEM PUSH Network, founded as an NSF INCLUDES Alliance, is working to leverage the power of pre-college STEM programs (PCSPs) to strengthen our nation's STEM workforce through targeted work on the high-school-to-college admission transition point. Together with its partners, STEM PUSH seeks to create systemic change in higher education admissions.

Rear view of group of university graduates in black gowns lines
Students working outside a university

To participate in the STEM PUSH Network, pre-college STEM programs must:

  • Be free for high school students to attend.
  • Provide extensive authentic STEM, such as through research programs, internships, and engineering design & development projects.
  • Operate out-of-school time and in a range of community spaces including CBOs, museums, and universities.
  • Most programs recruit locally from their community.
two students working on the computer together

STEM PUSH programs bring rigorous, mentored scientific training to students who may not have opportunities in formal K-12 schooling.

Our vision is based on the following theory of change: If pre-college STEM programs utilize research-based practices for expanding recruitment and competency in STEM and can communicate their value to admissions, then more students will gain admission and persist in STEM undergraduate study which will enrich and expand our nation’s STEM workforce.

Our aim is to expand the STEM education to workforce pathway, STEM PUSH will increase pre-college STEM program student enrollment and persistence in STEM by strengthening and credentialing out-of-school time, intensive STEM-focused, no-cost education.

Let's stay in touch

Give us your email and we'll keep you in the loop on the latest STEM PUSH news.