i-STEM Scholars

Summer 2021 Student Application: Closed

Thank you to everyone who applied to our Summer 2021 Research Program! We are so excited to read through your applications. Stay tuned for an email from our team during the first week of April.

For those who missed our application this year, please stay tuned for the Summer 2022 Program next year! Reach out to i-stemscholars@stemchats.org with any questions. Our social media: @istemscholars.

creative experiment

Methods

i-STEM Scholars aims to serve high school students from first-generation, low-income (FGLI), and underrepresented minority (URM) backgrounds by providing opportunities and education in STEM research. Our goal is to improve the accessibility of STEM research, and ensure that FGLI and URM students feel empowered to learn more about and pursue these research fields.

We strive to accomplish our mission through a 3-pronged approach:

1. The annual i-STEM Scholars Summer Research Program, which connects high school students with university labs to contribute to a research project. Students are also provided with academic and professional development resources, as well as personalized mentorship. Through this program, we create a network of Research Mentors (professors, graduate students, postdoctorates, research scientists) and other professionals in academia to support the STEM journeys of our current students and alumni. Our Summer Research Program is application-based.

2. Our i-STEM Scholars STEM Research Toolbox, which educates students about the basic knowledge and skills in STEM research through a variety of resources (such as online courses, workshops, and other interactive materials). STEM Research Toolbox materials are publicly available and accessible to anyone with an internet connection, and you can explore our first set of Virtual Student Labs here!

3. Social media campaigns, which aim to inspire FGLI/URM students by highlighting researchers from similar backgrounds & giving students the opportunity to interact with those in STEM research. Follow us @istemscholars to stay tuned for series like Outreach into Research, Day in the Life of a Researcher, and highlights from our Summer Research Program students and alumni!

medical research

Impact

Read more about our first-ever Research Program during Summer 2020 here! For Summer 2021, our team has partnered with 30+ Research Mentors from universities across the US, including Boston College, Caltech, Colorado State University, Emory, UT Austin, and more! Our student application closed on Friday, March 26th; we are currently reading applications and setting up workshops for our Summer 2021 Research Program - stay tuned for more updates on our website!

How to Get Involved

Students and professionals of any level, please reach out to us at i-stemscholars@stemchats.org if you’d like to contribute! High school and college students can apply to be an i-STEM Scholars Intern through our annual summer STEMchats Internship Program as well!

  • HS Students: Learn about research & inspire your peers!
    • Learn about the fundamentals of STEM research through courses, workshops, and other educational resources on our website & social media
    • Showcase your own research through our social media campaigns
  • College Students: Learn about research or feature your own research
    • Learn about the fundamentals of STEM research through courses, workshops, and other educational resources on our website & social media
    • Showcase your own research through our social media campaigns
  • Graduate/PhD Students, Professors, other research professionals: Get involved in STEM outreach and support FGLI/URM students
    • Host workshops or talks for our Summer 2021 Research Program
    • Contribute to our STEM Research Toolbox by creating educational curriculum
    • Showcase your own research through our social media campaigns