A study by the Kapor Center in California found that students who lived in lower income communities are “over two times less likely to have access to computer science courses in comparison to their counterparts in high income communities.” A PEW Research Center poll found that the root of the racial disparities in STEM are connected to educational disparities. Among STEM employees polled, 52% said that they attributed the lack of Black and Hispanic representation in the workforce to the fact that these groups were “less likely to have access to quality education that prepares them for these fields,” as well as a lack of encouragement to pursue these subjects from an early age. A similar study done by YouScience found that many Black students have a very “high aptitude for STEM-related careers”; however, there is a lack of interest in the pursuit of such careers due to limited access to Black role models in those fields.
In response, districts and organizations are offering ways to provide young people of color with a strong support system to thrive in their STEM career paths.
Providing more robust STEM curricula in urban districts
One way to provide support for students of color in urban school districts is to connect STEM learning to career fields. Using a hands-on curriculum is critical, while teachers need to be trained to provide individual students with guidance and insight on how to excel in STEM fields. While this strategy is beneficial for students of all backgrounds, it is especially important for marginalized students who need to connect with educators and jumpstart their careers in STEM.
When the Buffalo Public School District (BPSD) pioneered the Woz Ed STEM Careers Pathway Program in 2022, introducing it to its nearly 32,000 students, it became one of the first districts to offer the program.
This program was imagined by Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak and included early access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classes, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing. This Buffalo initiative targets students as young as those in middle school in districts that might not have otherwise had the resources to introduce such a program. Since its launch, Woz Pathway Schools have provided dynamic learning environments that provide access to STEM learning for a diverse community of K-12 students.
In the May/June 2024 issue of Woz Ed Connection Magazine, Dr. Tonja M. Williams touts their initiative, saying, “All of the students enrolled in the Buffalo Public Schools deserve this invaluable exploratory opportunity that will help to ensure all of our students have the potential to be prepared today for innovative digital careers of tomorrow.”
Boston's annual STEM fair
The Boston Public Schools, a diverse district of more than 54,000 students, has made efforts to help students connect STEM education to career fields, to help ensure that marginalized students are given increased career opportunities that they otherwise would not be able to access.
One way the district accomplishes this goal is by holding the Boston Public Schools/Region VI STEM Fair every year, where students are given an opportunity to showcase their STEM innovations and connect with professionals in their respective fields.
