STEM Through Authentic Research & Training The UK START Program

STEM occupational demand continues to increase, but many students lack key experiences and road maps to consider STEM careers. First generation, female, disabled, and students of color remain underrepresented in STEM. The START Program provides authentic STEM experiences to underrepresented students, from middle school through graduate school. START aims to strengthen and diversify the STEM community and enrich future STEM higher education, research, and innovation.

Teachers START envisioning

TEACHERS: LEARN ABOUT SUMMER 2023 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT! Spend a few weeks in a research lab or receive START sponsorship to attend a workshop led by the UK College of STEM Education. Click the above photo for more information on START sponsored professional development.

Students START apprenticing

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: APPLY FOR APPRENTICESHIP! The START Apprentice Program pairs rising juniors and seniors (age 16+} with trained mentors to have authentic STEM experiences on campus and beyond. Receive coaching, academic development, and access to the STEM community while gaining robust tools for sustained STEM success.

Mentors START empowering

BECOME A START MENTOR! START is currently recruiting UK undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about student access to STEM. The START Apprentice program pairs Mentors with high school juniors and seniors and provides credentialed Mentor training. You have so much to offer an aspiring STEM student - get involved!

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START APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES

START hosts Apprenticeships on the University of Kentucky campus and beyond.

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Left to right: Acting Dean Charles Griffith, Dr. Margaret Mohr-Schroeder, Lordina Mensah, Dr. Luke Bradley, President Eli Capiluoto, Dr. Stephanie White. (Not pictured: Dr. Anthony Sinai, Rebecca Rudd, Molly McAndrews, and Julie Bradley)

UK START Program Receives Golden Apple Award

Sep 19, 2022

In recognition of its strong commitment to student achievement, the University of Kentucky STEM Through Authentic Research and Training (START) program was honored with the Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) Golden Apple Award. The Golden Apple Award recognizes high-achieving programs and organizations that partner with FCPS to advance education and mentorship opportunities for students in the community. Members of the UK START program received the award on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the FCPS State of the Schools Address event.

UK's START Program Offers High Schoolers STEM Education, Experience

By Grace Colville May 26, 2022

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 26, 2022) — The STEM Through Authentic Research and Training (START) program at the University of Kentucky is creating a unique pipeline to increase science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) literacy and promote STEM careers for traditionally underrepresented populations — people of color, individuals with disabilities, students from free or reduced lunch schools, first-generation college students and girls and women in STEM.

START for Underrepresented Communities: Adapting to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Luke H. Bradley , Catherine E. Bohnett , Brittany N. Derr , Michael Lauer , Fara Williams , Anthony P. Sinai , Julie A. Bradley , Margaret Mohr-Schroeder May 23, 2022

ABSTRACT: The STEM Through Authentic Research and Training (START) Program is a new program integrating academic, social, and professional experiences, in the theme of exomedicine, to build a pipeline into college for first generation and traditionally underrepresented students by providing year-round authentic opportunities and professional development for high school students and teachers.

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