New Mason summer program shows high school students the value of a STEM degree

Colleen Rich — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 17:32:18 +0000

New Mason summer program shows high school students the value of a STEM degree Colleen Rich Tue, 08/15/2023 - 13:32

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海角社区鈥檚 College of Science partnered with the Virginia Latino Higher Education Network (VALHEN) to offer the聽VALHEN Hispanic STEM Academy聽(VHSA) at its Fairfax 海角社区 in the last week of July 2023.

Students engaged in a series of interactive and hands-on sessions across a range of STEM disciplines. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Designed for rising Virginia high school sophomores and juniors from Hispanic/Latine and other underserved communities, the program provided the opportunity for 48 participants to engage in a series of interactive and hands-on sessions across a range of STEM disciplines. During the three-day, two-night residential program, these potential future scientists toured Mason鈥檚 cutting-edge laboratories and facilities and learned from faculty and students about the forward-thinking research currently underway.

鈥淲e are thrilled to partner with VALHEN to show high school students from diverse backgrounds the potential of a STEM degree,鈥� said College of Science Dean Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm. 鈥淭his program provided participants access to the fastest growing STEM careers and聽academic pathways聽to get them there.鈥�

This year, the academy focused on the topic of global sustainability. Participants worked with VHSA Guides, Mason undergraduate student mentors, and fellow high school students on group research projects addressing real-world scientific problems such as hunger, access to clean water, pollution, and climate solutions.

Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon welcomes students to the academy. Photo by Tracy Mason/College of Science

The 鈥淢ason VHSA Big Ideas Challenge鈥� encouraged students to work collaboratively to tackle today鈥檚 most critical global sustainability challenges.

鈥淭he students presented some truly innovative solutions to very complex issues,鈥� said Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon, director of educational and career pathways in the College of Science. 鈥淗opefully this experience fuels their passion for STEM, while also helping them understand that their diversity of ideas, perspectives, and experiences are desperately needed in our global STEM community.鈥澛�

Other sessions guided students through the college process to better know what to expect as a future student. Presentations also fostered connections to a wide range of resources, scholarships, and both academic and professional networks.

鈥淩esearch shows that those from communities or identities underrepresented in STEM fields are less likely to pursue STEM majors in college, and those who do declare a STEM major when entering college are more likely to leave STEM than the general student population,鈥� Hilker-Balkissoon said. 聽

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Students

College of Science

VALHEN Hispanic STEM Academy

Strategic Direction