THE STEM ISSUE science | technology | engineering | mathematics
A sampling of diversity-oriented STEM programs
2012 SACNAS NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Creating a Healthy World through Science, Diversity and Technology
Society for
WHEN October 11–14, 2012
Advancement of
WHERE Washington State Convention Center
Chicanos and Native Americans in Science
WHO More than 4,000 people from all over the U.S. in various STEM disciplines SPONSORED BY University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; and the Marguerite Casey Foundation and Life Technologies (Bronze Level).
UW FACULTY AND ALUMS INVOLVED Sabrina Bonaparte, ’12; Amber Caracol, ’11; Leslie Ann Caromile, ’09; Tracy Delgado, ’11; Charla Lambert, ’98; Ed Ramos, ’06; and Jorge Ramos, ’11. Retired UW professor Jimmy Lara, a founding member of the national SACNAS organization, is also involved, as is Sheila Edwards Lange, '00, '06, who heads the local organizing committee.
U-DOC is a residential summer program of the School of Medicine that gives students interested in medicine and dentistry the opportunity to learn about medical careers, medical school requirements and research opportunities. Since 1994, U-DOC has effectively prepared more than 700 students. abit.ly/L9gBJG The Environmental Health Research Experience summer internship offers undergraduates first-hand experience in the laboratories of leading researchers. abit.ly/i8RXzm The Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity Academic Counseling Service offers one-on-one advising and assistance to UW students, particularly those from low-income families, and/ or from underrepresented minority backgrounds. abit.ly/Kh6GFB Summer “bridge” programs in the College of Engineering offer intensive math preparation, problem-solving courses and community-building activities. abit.ly/KoR2mJ Math Academy is a free, intensive, four-week residential session at the UW Seattle campus for minority students to develop the skills necessary for college math and engineering. abit.ly/e4nQdz
Outstanding Outreach
One reason why the UW’s SACNAS chapter is nationally recognized is because of its outreach efforts. In addition to serving as advisers to the UW Graduate School in coordinating diversity efforts on campus, students who are SACNAS members who mentor and tutor high school students both in Seattle (above) and in Eastern Washington. Photo by Anil Kapahi.
PEERS (Promoting Equity in Engineering Relationships) is a student-led program that works toward a more inclusive environment by engaging peers, professors and staff. abit.ly/KPerSl
AccessSTEM works to increase the participation of people with disabilities in STEM careers. The lead agency is the UW’s awardwinning DO-IT Center (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology). abit.ly/EFPI3 SAS (Student Academic Services) prepares middle school and high school students to succeed. Underrepresented minorities were four times as likely to be admitted to an engineering department as underrepresented minorities who did not use SAS services. abit.ly/Kh6GFB The UW GenOM Project provides educational and research opportunities and academic support for students interested in genomics and life sciences research. abit.ly/IDoWVb MSP (Minority Scholars Engineering Program) is the College of Engineering’s recruitment and retention program for students. Its goal: increase the number of underrepresented students in engineering and computer science. abit.ly/P8ppl6 ALVA (Alliances for Learning and Vision for Underrepresented Americans) is a program that targets students in a variety of disciplines for summer internships. It assists incoming freshmen who will attend the UW Seattle campus and are interested in science research, especially research in genetics and genomics. abit.ly/TO7uD3
the story of diversity at UW
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