Research Symposium

BIO

I'm Surya Hemraj, a second-year undergraduate student at FSU. My academic journey is underscored by a commitment to becoming a physician, fueled by my love for people and life. Additionally, I aspire to integrate my profound interest in health equity into my future career. Eager to contribute to the improvement of healthcare accessibility and outcomes, I am actively leveraging my interdisciplinary education and diverse experiences to make a meaningful impact in the field of medicine. My current research project provides underrepresented students with free STEM enrichment opportunities, aligning with my goal to increase diversity and equity in healthcare and STEM fields.

Bridging the Barrier Between Underrepresented Tallahassee Students and STEM Enrichment Opportunities

Abstract

The southside of Tallahassee, characterized by Title 1 schools and limited community resources, is an underrepresented area where motivating students to engage with STEM content in elementary and middle grades is crucial. Research indicates that eighth-grade students interested in STEM are up to three times more likely to pursue STEM degrees later in life than those who are not interested (PCAST 2010, p. 19). However, some interested students lack the funds to participate in STEM programs. After-school programs offering STEM learning are costlier, with parents reporting a mean cost of $107 per week compared to $74 for programs without STEM (TAA, 2020). To address these barriers and increase diversity in STEM fields, we initiated the Neighborhood STEM Fairs in collaboration with the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.

The fairs provide K-12 students with exposure to free or affordable STEM summer programs, aiming to increase their participation. We organize two annual fairs: the Neighborhood Camp Fair for K-8 students and the Neighborhood Internship Fair for 6-12 students. Our research focuses on increasing fair attendance by expanding camp participation and enhancing marketing strategies to reach students and parents effectively.

This project aims to strengthen the connection between the southside community and STEM programs, breaking the barrier of socioeconomic status.

Keywords: STEM, underrepresented, students