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“STEP into the SCIENCES” -

An Initiative to Encourage the Participation of Native Americans in the Sciences

The Program

The goal of this project is to increase the number of graduates in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic) fields at the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) through innovative curricular, recruiting and mentoring strategies.  The unique focus of the program will be increasing the number of Native American science majors at UMM. 

  The campus history, state of the art facilities, engaged recruiting and advising staff, and committed, quality faculty uniquely poises UMM to successfully encourage an underrepresented group in the sciences.  To achieve project goals dedicated recruiting and mentoring is required. Interested High School students are encouraged to participate in: summer programs, a UMM research group and a bridge program. During their undergraduate careers Native American students participating in the UMM STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program) program complete faculty mentored undergraduate research.  The UMM STEP program fosters a summer research environment where under-represented individuals are in the majority and peer interaction and mentoring creates a web of support.

  To increase the total number of students majoring in STEM fields this project funded the establishment of an Environmental Science (ESci) major. This curriculum will include interdisciplinary courses and a “campus as classroom” pedagogy that will encourages internships and independent studies in green science initiatives. 

  Results have been positive.  In 2007, 4 students participated in the summer research while 8  participated in Summer 09.  Targeted recruiting resulted in an increase of incoming Native American freshmen Science majors from 7 in Fall 2007 to 18 in Fall 2009.  Over the same interval total UMM Native American Science majors increased from 33 (in 2007) to 54 (in 2009). The ESci major was approved in Fall 2008 and 15 ESci majors are now enrolled at UMM.