Welcome to inSTEM
We are thrilled to launch the inSTEM pilot – a joint effort between the NSTMF and Howard University’s Office of Research and College of Arts and Sciences – this fall! Details about the program and how to apply, below.
STRUCTURE
inSTEM offers four years of programming; each has a theme based on the Scholars’ needs for the current school year. Scholars are eligible to be inSTEM participants for all four years and may enroll at any time. The Scholars’ status as a first-, second-, third-, or fourth-year student will determine which year of the program they will enter. The inSTEM pilot program at Howard University’s College of Arts and Sciences will run from November 2020 until May 2021.
Each cohort includes 15 inSTEM Scholars and one Coach, a STEM professor or an established graduate student at the institution. STEM Experts will visit cohorts to lead workshops and provide insights about the greater STEM community.
GOALS
These wide-reaching goals guide all aspects of inSTEM, from the type of professional development opportunities offered to the guided discussions that inSTEM Scholars will have together.
1. Scholars will stay in their STEM program or major. Substantial statistical and empirical evidence shows that mentorship can help students from underrepresented communities in STEM stay in their majors. inSTEM’s primary goal is to make its Scholars feel comfortable in their STEM communities.
2. Scholars will hone skills that help them succeed in college and their careers. Certain skills are essential to success in STEM, both while in college and after graduation. Through professional development workshops, inSTEM will allow its Scholars to acquire those skills, like how to network, land a position in a lab, and write a grant. These workshops will be stepping stones to the Scholars’ first steps in the STEM community.
3. Scholars will feel comfortable reaching out to Experts, met through the program, with professional or personal questions related to their STEM journey. A significant pillar of the program, Scholars will have the unique opportunity to interact with STEM Experts, including Laureates of the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology & Innovation and other top minds in the community. These members of the NSTMF’s network of STEM luminaries will facilitate professional development workshops, share their stories of overcoming adversity, and offer an ear to the Scholars. We hope to increase the likelihood of the Scholars finding a STEM Expert with whom they connect by providing an array of experts.
