Promoting STEM Interest and Identity Through the 4-H STEM Ambassadors Program

Graphical Abstract

Abstract

The Rutgers University 4-H STEM Ambassadors program is a collaborative partnership between New Jersey public schools in urban communities in Paterson, Newark, Union, New Brunswick, Atlantic City, and Trenton and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension program. The program was designed to support America’s research and innovation capacity by increasing the participation of underrepresented minorities in science and engineering. In this article, we share some preliminary evidence that progress toward this goal is being achieved through the Ambassadors program.

Keywords:

• Informal Education

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our partner schools, university professors, postdocs, graduate students, undergraduate students, and 4-H faculty and staff. Without their volunteer efforts, we would not be able to make the STEM Ambassadors program a reality. Thanks to the wonderful youth participants and their families for being part of our Ambassador network.

Author Contributions

Janice McDonnell ([email protected]) is STEM agent in the Department of Youth Development at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Marissa Staffenova ([email protected]) is Essex County agent in the Department of Youth Development at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Chad Ripberger ([email protected]) is Mercer County agent in the Department of Youth Development at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

David Shernoff ([email protected]) is associate professor of school psychology and director of the Rutgers Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Marycarmen Kunicki ([email protected]) is Passaic County agent in the Department of Youth Development at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Denise Bressler ([email protected]) is research associate at the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Christine Bean ([email protected]) is STEM program coordinator at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Janice McDonnell

Janice McDonnell ([email protected]) is STEM agent in the Department of Youth Development at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Marissa Staffenova

Marissa Staffenova ([email protected]) is Essex County agent in the Department of Youth Development at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Chad Ripberger

Chad Ripberger ([email protected]) is Mercer County agent in the Department of Youth Development at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

David Shernoff

David Shernoff ([email protected]) is associate professor of school psychology and director of the Rutgers Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Marycarmen Kunicki

Marycarmen Kunicki ([email protected]) is Passaic County agent in the Department of Youth Development at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Denise Bressler

Denise Bressler ([email protected]) is research associate at the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Christine Bean

Christine Bean ([email protected]) is STEM program coordinator at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.