Pre-college STEM Programs

Pre-College STEM Programs

Pre-college STEM programs (PCSPs) connect students with the scientific community by engaging in high-quality STEM content that is often not available in schools.

STEM PUSH partners with PCSPs to remove barriers to undergraduate admissions for underrepresented students so that they can continue their STEM journeys in college and beyond.

The Future Needs a PUSH

As of 2018, Black students earned only 7% of STEM bachelor's degrees, while Latina/o/e students accounted for only 12%.

Black workers represent only 9% of those in STEM occupations. Representation is even lower at just 5% in some STEM jobs areas like engineering and architecture.

The STEM workforce representation gap is especially large for Latina/o/e adults. Latina/o/e workers make up 17% of employment across all occupations, but just 8% of all STEM workers.

What are Pre-College STEM Programs?

STEM PUSH pre-college STEM programs (PCSPs) are established intensive (100+ hours of programming), STEM-focused, out-of-school-time program intentionally serving Black, Latina/o/e, Indigenous, and other underrepresented racially minoritized high schoolers through practices that center equity and prepare students for undergraduate STEM.

Students receive significant training in STEM practices as well as other supports such as college-going mentoring.

Why Pre-College STEM Programs (PCSPs)?

Pre-college STEM programs (PCSPs) should be leveraged in college admissions decisions because they enable students to participate in enrichment and research experiences that share analytical, critical thinking skills and habits-of-mind that increase STEM exposure, engagement and self-efficacy.

Many PCSPs are successful in attracting and retaining Black, Latina/o/e and/or Indigenous high school students. However, PCSPs have not yet been leveraged to increase the number of Black, Latina/o/e and/or Indigenous students admitted to undergraduate STEM programs.

Benefits of Pre-College STEM Programs

Capacity to Fill Equity Gaps

The students who participate in PCSPs reflect the diversity of Urban ecosystems

Unique Perspectives

PCSP faculty, staff, and volunteers represent various backgrounds, STEM journeys, and areas of expertise

Provide experiential learning opportunities

Students learn STEM by actually doing STEM

Introduce STEM disciplines

Students are exposed to STEM topics and activities beyond what they experience in school

Create pathways for further study

PCSPs build a foundation of transferrable skills, habits, and knowledge that are long-lasting

Connect to relevant institutions and organizations

PCSPs can provide connections to other STEM programs and Higher Ed institutions

Strengthen broader impact opportunities

PCSPs can be a direct link to current research, connecting students with the STEM community

Create mentorship opportunities

Relationships formed in PCSPs can help guide students in their STEM journeys. Mentors can be peer leaders, college students, or other members of the STEM community.

PCSPs work closely with high school students and have a unique perspective on students’ STEM competencies that could be potentially useful to admissions offices.

Exposure Matters

“As a ninth grader in high school, I had never seen a Black engineer. I didn’t even know they existed. I mean, I knew they existed, but it was really hard for me to think that was obtainable for myself since I had never seen it.” -Terrell Galloway, Graduate, University of Pittsburgh, Mechanical Engineering Major

How Programs Are Impacting Students:

Pre-College STEM Program Partners

Locations

South PCSPs

Midwest PCSPs (copy)

Northeast PCSPs

West PCSPs

Arizona MESA at University of Arizona

Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) is a school based outreach program designed to increase access to Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathways and encourage college readiness for low-income, minority or first-generation college-bound students in grades 6-12.