YeSTEM: Partnering for Equitable STEM Pathways for Youth Underrepresented in STEM Project

The Partnering for Equitable STEM Pathways for Youth Underrepresented in STEM Project (YeSTEM) is building understanding about how youth who historically have not participated in free-choice/informal STEM learning gain access to these experiences. We are working with paid youth researchers to understand how and under what conditions they participate, how they connect experiences in ways that build their own STEM pathways, and what educator practices best support youth in STEM exploration. YeSTEM, funded by the US-NSF and UK-Wellcome Trust, supports research-practice partnerships in four cities: London & Bristol in the UK and Lansing, MI and Portland, OR in the US. In Portland, we are collaborating with the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, Girls, Inc. of the Pacific Northwest and Self Enhancement, Inc. to better understand the STEM pathway development of minoritized youth. Portland results will be analysed with the other three sites, allowing for cross-national and international comparisons.

Project Team: Lynn Dierking Ph.D. Elysa Corin Ph.D.