Programs Aim to Boost Minorities in Science, Engineering Fields

 Posted by Cuyahoga Community College on Cleveland.com

One million additional science, technology, engineering and mathematics (aka STEM) graduates will be needed over the next decade to fill America's swelling demand for highly skilled technology jobs, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Yet, STEM education is lagging behind, particularly among minorities.

A 2011 report by the National Academy of Sciences notes that underrepresented minority groups comprised 28.5 percent of the national population in 2006, yet just 9.1 percent of college-educated Americans in science and engineering occupations. Just 2.7 percent of African Americans, 3.3 percent of Native Americans and Alaska Natives and 2.2 percent of Hispanics and Latinos have earned a degree in the natural sciences or engineering, according to the report.

There is growing momentum to remedy the situation, said Vanessa Mullins, program director of the NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics & Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) at Cuyahoga Community College. Programs like SEMAA, she said, are part of a national effort to increase participation and retention of historically underrepresented populations in science and engineering.

"We want to inspire and engage students who have may have limited access to STEM and allow them to explore subjects they might not otherwise be able to explore," Mullins said.

SEMAA is a kindergarten through 12th-grade, extracurricular program that consists of seven Saturday sessions at Tri-C's Metropolitan Campus in the fall and spring. In addition, a week-long SEMAA camp is held each summer. Students participate in hands-on NASA-related STEM activities, such as designing a space station or constructing a solar system. Activities are tailored to student development at each grade level, and students also learn about educational pathways and career opportunities related to the subjects they are investigating.

Before and after surveys show students leave the program much more interested in STEM subject areas than when they entered it, Mullins said.

While SEMAA "targets underrepresented students," she said any student interested in exploring STEM fields can sign up for classes. The 22-year-old program enrolls approximately 600 students during the academic year and a total of about 300 students during its summer camp sessions. Many students come from the nearby Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

Along with student engagement, the program aims to boost parental interest and involvement, which Mullins said can have a huge impact on student motivation to study and work in those fields. Studies show, regardless of family income or background, students with involved parents are more likely to attend school regularly, earn higher grades and test score, pass their classes, graduate from high school and go on to college. Parents and guardians of SEMAA participants are invited to the "SEMAA Family Café," which provides training sessions on subjects ranging from cultural diversity and preparing for college and a brief primer on what their child is learning and building.

"The goal is to make it a whole family event," Mullins said. "We know if parents are engaged in the learning process, students are much more likely to be interested and committed to their education."

If you are interested in mentoring students in the fields of architecture, construction, or engineering, consider participating in the ACE Mentor Program of Cleveland. To learn more, we invite you to a New Mentor Session on August 20th, to learn more about the program and how you can get involved.