STEM Through Authentic Research & Training The UK START Program

START SUMMER APPRENTICESHIPS

STEM occupational demand continues to increase, but many students lack key experiences and road maps to consider a career in STEM. First generation, female, disabled, and students of color remain underrepresented in the STEM community. Their successful engagement ensures quality STEM higher education, research, and innovation.

The START Program provides authentic research training to underrepresented STEM students, from middle school through graduate school, and strengthens the STEM community through wider student engagement and support.

Teachers START envisioning

There are so many fields in the world of STEM! START classroom outreach exposes students to an array of STEM topics through virtual and in-person visits, demonstrations, tours, and interactive classroom learning experiences on UK campus and beyond. START puts STEM within reach by showcasing many areas of study and available career pathways. START helps students envision their future in STEM.

Students START apprenticing

The START Apprentice Program pairs rising high school Juniors and Seniors, age 16 and older, with near-peer UK students and faculty who have been trained as Mentors. Together, Apprentice/Mentor experience authentic STEM research training in campus labs and beyond, access the STEM community, and receive coaching and academic development while gaining robust tools for sustained success.

Mentors START empowering

You don't need to be a STEM major to be a START Mentor. START is currently recruiting UK undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about student access. The START Apprentice program pairs high school students with a UK Mentor who has received credentialed training from START. You have so much to offer an aspiring STEM student. Get Involved and serve as a START Mentor!

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START 2022 SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES

START will host several 3-week Summer Apprenticeships Sessions on the University of Kentucky campus during summer of 2022. Click on the button below for more information on how to get involved!

SUMMER APPRENTICESHIPS

START NEWS

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.

UK START & UK Dietetics and Human Nutrition host local high school tour

Rebecca Rudd May 4, 2022

The UK START Program partnered with the UK Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition to host a tour for Frederick Douglas High School students. In addition to hosting tours, START aims to engage and support underrepresented STEM students through a variety of virtual and classroom presentations at several schools in the area.

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