In 2018, Carol Carter, professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, crossed paths with Stony Brook alumnus Jason Williams ’04, currently assistant director for external collaborations at the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center (CSHLC), when both served as judges in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) competitions across Long Island.
STARS students completing lab work.
The mutual experience led to the launch of a summer camp STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math and medicine) experience directed at high school students from groups currently underrepresented in health sciences professions.
“Our intention was to arouse curiosity about science generally and to expand the pipeline of students who ultimately engage in the health science professions by reaching out to those with limited means of obtaining pertinent ‘hands-on’ opportunities,” said Carter. “In particular, we wanted to provide these students with an experience they could put on their resume that might enable greater access to research internships in colleges and universities.”
The result of their efforts – the STARS (Science, Technology and Research Scholars) Camp — is a two-week summer research experience designed to support the next generation of minority scientists, doctors, and other health professionals.
Students conduct hands-on science and computer projects and participate in enrichment activities including discussions with researchers and tours of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Stony Brook University campuses. After the two-week program concludes, students join an alumni network that links them to mentors and older STARS who encourage future research engagement and offer advice regarding college preparation, which includes school-year in-person and virtual activities.
All accepted students have the $1,200 tuition waived. In exchange, students assume a community engagement responsibility, which includes a commitment to help recruit and support future STAR scholars through the alumni network and to participate in community service. An example of a community service activity is their recent COVID-19 Community Outreach project in which students created videos to raise vaccine awareness in minority communities (https://dnalc.cshl.edu/resources/students-talk-science/ ).
“This endeavor is a perfect example of how a Cold Spring Harbor/Stony Brook collaboration can benefit the entire Long Island community,” said Carter.
Read the full story: https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/helping-underrepresented-teens-reach-for-the-stars/