This article illustrates the potential for hackathons to serve as an innovative educational tool in addressing the underrepresentation of minority communities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Using Merced, California--a region recognised for its agricultural economy, socioeconomic disparities, and diverse…

We examine three coding bootcamps offered by LaunchCode (LC101, Women+, and CodeCamp) to understand if tailored structures within coding bootcamp programs--designed for underrepresented groups in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)--lead to increased program persistence for women, underrepresented minorities, and low-income…

Out-of-school time (OST) programs serving predominantly racialized minority communities can help reduce racial disparities in STEM as they provide a culturally affirming learning environment that includes supportive staff of similar ethnic identities as the youth. However, staff at OST programs located in underserved communities that serve…

The need for more STEM graduates in the workforce has been an ongoing conversation for decades; however, very little attention is spent on the differing levels of degree attainment. This study focuses on variables that predict (positively or negatively) the degree aspirations of STEM majors six years after they begin their post-secondary education…

Over the past several decades, there has been a significant growth in the number of Future Faculty Development (FFD) programs aimed at increasing the number of Ph.D.s in higher education. Yet despite the growth of these programs, minimal research exists that provides a collective overview of existing FFD programs that target historically racially…

In an effort to make science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers more available to underrepresented minorities, informal science programs must continue to develop to heighten science and other STEM-based interest. These efforts have been challenged through programs offered at out-of-school-time (OST) facilities, referred to as…

Researchers and policymakers are interested in the pathway to the STEM workforce given projections about a workforce shortage and the underrepresentation of women and people of color in STEM. These examinations often rely on the STEM pipeline model as a framework for understanding STEM persistence, which uses a STEM degree as a proxy for future…

The problem addressed by this study was disparities in the STEM professional and scholastic pipelines persist and are exacerbated by the underrepresentation of females and Black populations, indigenous populations, and people of color (BIPOC) in a variety of STEM fields. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to examine teachers'…

Background: Women and people of color are consistently underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields and careers. Though there are myriad factors underlying these gaps, one potential variable may be the extent to which these students feel connected to their STEM classroom experiences. Purpose: The present study…

Despite policy changes and targeted outreach, issues of under-representation persist for women and minorities in science fields. Previous research has explored extrinsic motivational factors for underrepresented groups in both formal educational settings. However, little research has investigated intrinsic motivation within informal educational…

Diversity has been shown to improve the ability of groups to problem solve and make predictions, as well as guarding against groupthink and overconfidence. Marginalized groups within the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields are still largely underrepresented despite various efforts to increase diversity in STEM. This…

Two-year colleges are an increasingly used but understudied pathway to STEM degrees for women from historically underserved backgrounds. This chapter discusses the community college promise in solving the gender gap in STEM attainment, as well as related research findings and directions.

When Black and Latino students are given advanced opportunities, they thrive alongside their peers. However, only a fraction of eligible students is enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses, which means that most Black and Latino students are being denied vital learning opportunities that can set them up for…

Historically, girls and women have experienced gender disparity in access to, and persistence in, STEM education. Though women comprise 50% of the total workforce, they occupy only 25% of STEM-related occupations. STEM degrees and occupations have been linked to economic prosperity, both for individuals and the nation as a whole. However, women…

The number of available jobs in environmental science, science, technology, engineering, and math (E-STEM) is growing rapidly. Nonetheless, women and Latinx, Black, and Indigenous people remain underrepresented in these fields. A number of diversity pipeline programs have been established with the goal of attracting and retaining individuals from…