Summary of NABSE STEM Research Symposium Genette Comfort, Harold Washington, and Erik Rhodes November 19, 2011

Talking Points O NASBE and the HBCUs are committed to forming a robust partnership in O There were many valuable ideas and agenda items shared. O Facilitator Dr. Mary Dilworth will follow up with these ideas within the next few months. O Goal: To formulate strategies and apply for funding to implement these ideas.

Talking Points O Experts say that the United States is not producing enough scientists and engineers. O Nationwide, most college students who start off in STEM fields either do not graduate, or change to a different major. O President Obama and industry groups are calling for colleges and universities to graduate, “10,000 more engineers a year and 100,000 new teachers with majors in STEM.”

Talking Points O Mentoring is a critical component for academic success. O The Rochester (New York) City School District has implemented the Pencil Program which partners a local business or non-profit organization with a local school. O This can be a prototype for a national mentoring program facilitated by NABSE.

Symposium Notes O Since 2004, African Americans have lost ground relative to the rest of the student population regarding interest in STEM- related studies and careers. (1) O NABSE is very interested in the pipeline of STEM teachers. O Congressional Black Caucus members are interested in the growth of STEM programs for minorities.

Symposium Notes O Howard University has taken a significant leadership role in providing STEM access for minorities. O Howard has created a public charter school, the Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science. This school is committed to academic excellence, with a specific focus on math and science. O One in 10 undergraduates at Howard are enrolled in STEM majors.

Dr. Freeman Hrabowski O Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), graduated from Hampton University with highest honors in Mathematics. O He stated that the United States is not producing enough scientists and engineers. (2) O 41% of UMBC graduates are in the science, engineering, and math fields. This is well above the national average of 25%. (2)

Dr. Freeman Hrabowski O Nationwide, most college students who start off in STEM fields either do not graduate, or change to a different major. (2) O UMBC keeps the students engaged by involving them in research normally left to graduate students, such as researching the causes of HIV. (2) O Students can obtains jobs / internships with one of the 76 companies located on-campus. (2)

Dr. Freeman Hrabowski O Dr. Hrabowski started the Meyeroff Scholarship, a program dedicated to providing opportunity for African Americans, “who were shut out of careers in sciences for lack of opportunity, not talent.” (2) O There have been 813 graduates of the 23 year old program, and almost 90% have gone on to graduate school. (2)

New York Times Article on STEM (3) O President Obama and industry groups are calling for colleges and universities to graduate, “10,000 more engineers a year and 100,000 new teachers with majors in STEM.” O 60% of STEM students either change their major, or fail to get a degree. O Preparation for STEM is not just a K-12 issue.

New York Times Article (3) O Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) engages STEM students through internships and real-world problem solving assignments. O Consequently, their students are more focused. 74% of WPI undergraduates earn their Bachelor’s Degrees in four years; 80% in six years.

Mentoring O The research has identified mentoring as a critical component for academic success, both for high school and college students. O Previous examples demonstrate the value of mentoring relationships, which encompass both internship and Co-op opportunities. O Research shows that 70% of African American teachers had a significant mentor that pushed him / her into the profession. (1)

Pencil Program O The Rochester (New York) City School District has implemented this innovative program which partners a local business or non-profit organization with a local school. O According to School Board President Malik Evans, each of the District’s 70 schools have a Pencil Partner. O Mr. Evans stated that they will not consider opening a new school without such a partnership.

Pencil Partnership O This 3 year-old program has already established some significant partnerships. O The School Without Walls has partnered with M&E Engineering. This had led to significant internship opportunities for their students. O Rochester’s new STEM High School is currently working on a partnership with CISCO. This would ultimately allow motivated students to earn a CISCO certificate while still in high school.

Pencil Partnership O CISCO certified technicians can earn an average of $28,000 to $36,000. This would not require a college education. O The district has also established a city-wide partnership with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). If academically qualified, a City School graduate can attend RIT tuition- free.

Next Steps O NABSE has proposed a nationwide STEM tour, which would raise STEM awareness in the Districts where the events take place. O This tour would also be supported by the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). O Mentoring would be a key component. NABSE will engage their corporate partners to provide mentors.

Next Steps O The ‘Divine 9’ could also be approached for their support, and to provide mentors. O This program would be modeled after the City of Rochester’s Pencil Program.

Short-Term Outcomes O To raise STEM awareness in the community- at-large. O To mobilize and enhance the number of minorities who want to become STEM teachers. O To increase the number of mentors available for the minority community. O To implement a mentorship pilot program in several CBC Districts in 2012.

Short-Term Outcomes O Increase both the quality and quantity of internship and Co-op STEM opportunities for minority students. O To increase the enrollment in HBCU STEM programs. O Bridge the gap between HBCUs and local school districts.

Long-Term Outcomes O A sustained increase in the pipeline of minority STEM teachers. O A sustained increase the number of STEM graduates. O Development of a nationally recognized mentoring program, which would be implemented in many CBC districts. O Long-term corporate and financial support for this vital mission.

Footnotes O (1): Presentation by Ryan Munce, Vice President for National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCUA). O (2): erDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId= &d ocId=l: &Em=7&start=21 O (3): hy-science-majors-change-their-mind-its-just-so-darn- hard.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all