P-12 STEM Outreach Minority & Appalachian Initiatives
Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
The National Science Foundation's Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, undergraduate program designed to substantially increase the quantity and quality of students, especially African American, Hispanic, and Native American students, pursuing degrees and careers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.
The KYWV-LSAMP is actively developing constructs that will supply Kentucky institutions of higher learning a pipeline/pathway of talented students interested and pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). http://kywvamp.uky.edu/
AMSTEMM Program (Appalachian and Minority Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Majors)
Appalachian and Minority students are significantly underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. The primary objective of AMSTEMM, funded in part by a National Science Foundation STEP grant, is increasing the number of STEM majors enrolled at and graduating from the University of Kentucky. The AMSTEMM program recruits, retains, and graduates STEM majors from Appalachian and minority populations by means of a number of related activities: visits to schools, teacher support, programs for parents, and university-sponsored recruitment events. Furthermore, AMSTEMM provides some students with financial assistance (in the form of fellowships for participating in mentored research experiences and serving as peer mentors) to allow them to realistically afford to attend UK.
The retention phase includes dedicated professional advising; faculty mentoring; increased support for the Mathematics Excel and Chemistry Excel programs; at least one first year, place-based, Discovery Seminar; mentored research experiences; a peer mentoring program; and bi-weekly research colloquia. All activities are specifically tailored with the particular needs of Appalachian and Minority students guiding decisions.
The original AMSTEMM grant contained the eight specific objectives shown below, all of which have been met or exceeded.
AMSTEMM Objectives:- Identify and encourage more potential Appalachian and Minority STEM majors;
- Develop and offer interdisciplinary, place-based Discovery Seminars, enrichment seminars, and STEM courses;
- Strengthen AMSTEMM students’ math education;
- Support a bi-weekly research colloquium;
- Strengthen support and advising for AMSTEMM students;
- Financially support, strengthen the educational experience of, and retain AMSTEMM students;
- Disseminate results of the program;
- Plan for sustaining and strengthening the program.
Visit the AMSTEMM page by clicking here.