Work in Progress - A Study on the Effectiveness of an Innovative Research Program for Urban High School Students

To increase minority high school students' interest in STEM, an innovative outreach program has been developed in the Center for Layered Polymeric Systems. The Polymer Envoys Program features a two-year research internship where local students are matched with graduate student mentors, and participate in STEM research beginning the Fall of their junior year and concluding the Spring of their senior year. A study is being used to determine the effectiveness of this program. Issues considered include initial selection of schools and student participants, experiences of program participants, related academic choices made during high school, and post-program choices made regarding college and major. Questionnaires and informal observations indicate that this program has had very positive results in its implementation to date. While many students initially indicated minimal experience with research and technical communication, within one year all made significant improvements. This change was self-reported on surveys, and observed in students' oral and written communication assignments. Additionally, positive changes were observed in students' academic and career aspirations through experiences in the program.