SSP International is bringing them to your college campus.
The STEM pipeline begins in high school. One nonprofit is actively paving the way for first-generation college students.
It’s no surprise that STEM college graduates often come from backgrounds where at least one parent holds a bachelor’s degree or higher. However, as of 2023, first-generation college students still obtain fewer STEM degrees compared to their counterparts, often because the pipeline from high school to a degree in STEM remains inequitable and inaccessible. Research has shown that completing science coursework at the high-school level significantly increases the likelihood of STEM degree completion in college.
To address this gap and ensure the academic success of students without a generational legacy in higher education, interventions at the high school level are becoming increasingly crucial.
Immersive STEM experiences allow teens to ‘do’ science through collaboration
At the forefront of this effort is SSP International, a nonprofit that offers high school juniors and seniors an intensive, immersive STEM experience on college campuses across the country through its signature offering, The Summer Science Program.
SSP International’s Summer Science Program is the longest-running research-based science education program for high schoolers, offering rigorous scientific experimentation in astrophysics, biochemistry, genomics, and synthetic chemistry. More than just academic enrichment, the program fosters teamwork, camaraderie, and a sense of community. Its robust alumni community views Summer Science Program as a “life changing” experience, a remarkable academic journey that is both a catalyst for pursuing science at the college level and the foundation for lifelong friendships.
Recognizing that success in STEM fields requires more than just academic knowledge, SSP International provides students with the cultural and social tools necessary to succeed in STEM.
Summer Science Program not only offers participants in-depth STEM education, preparing them for successful careers and degrees, but it also equips them with the cultural capital needed to successfully navigate academia, the lab and collegiate environments.
Too often students from underrepresented backgrounds, be it first-generation students or students of color, experience psychological and social challenges that negatively impact academic persistence, completion and performance. SSP International aims to fill that gap to propel these students through their college careers and beyond.
Summer Science Program’s emphasis on teamwork and mentoring from faculty and staff equips students who otherwise would not have exposure to traditional academic environments with the tools to advocate for themselves and participate in activities that lead to academic and social success.
Partnerships with colleges nationwide increases access to science
This summer, Summer Science Program is doubling the number of student placements to nearly 600 participants with new partnerships with Colby College, Knox College, Pacific University, and Lehigh University, in addition to long-standing partnerships with Indiana University Bloomington, New Mexico State University, Purdue University, the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Georgia College & State University, and Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
These new partnerships will reach even more deserving participants, particularly first-generation students, increasing access to high-quality science education for those historically underrepresented in STEM.
Offering stipends leads to college and career success in the future
To further close the representation gap in STEM, the nonprofit will also offer $3,000 stipends to qualified participants who would otherwise have to work in the summer, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder students’ access to enrichment opportunities. When students are financially supported based on need, especially Black and Latino students who are more likely to pay for college themselves, enrollment increases and students complete their degrees faster.
By partnering with SSP International, colleges can attract a cohort of talented and diverse students, thereby closing the STEM representation gap and fostering a more inclusive academic environment.
Since 1959, Summer Science Program participants have gained the confidence and skills they need to excel in college-level science. SSP International aims to bring this experience to any student who loves science by increasing its partner campuses, and in turn, exposing universities nationwide to a young cohort of competitive applicants and budding scientists.
To continue supporting underrepresented students in STEM fields, universities can turn to organizations already mentoring such high school students who are also passionate about science. Closing the diversity gap in STEM starts before college. If you’d like to bring students and promote diversity in STEM, consider bringing the Summer Science Program to your campus.
SSP International is a nonprofit offering inspiring science immersion experiences. Founded in 1959, its mission is to provide opportunities to accelerate learning, doing and belonging in science. SSP International’s flagship program is Summer Science Program, a leading education experience for exceptional high school students in astrophysics, biochemistry, genomics and more.