Burroughs Wellcome Fund grant money will allow Wake Forest University to offer high school students in Forsyth County hands-on STEM education and career exploration options.

Those who attend local Title 1 schools will be targeted through the Wake Forest LEAP (Lab Experiences: Academics and Professions) program at Wake Forest University.

An internship program for high school students will be launched using the funding. Students selected into the program will get a paid summer experience that directly relates to a preferred career path rather than working in a standard high school summer job.

At Wake Forest University, internship participants will also have the opportunity to attend workshops on college and job readiness. After hours, students will participate in events that will help them establish their professional networks and improve their interviewing skills.

Rebecca Alexander, Associate Dean for Research and Community Engagement and Director of Wake Downtown, said, “We’re excited to offer paid summer lab internships for local high school students.” At the high school level, we know there’s a need for hands-on STEM activities and we’re happy to interact with local students who are curious about careers in STEM but haven’t had the opportunity.”

Bringing STEM teachings into K-12 classrooms was made possible in 2019 because to a grant secured by Wake Downtown. Despite the fact that this award is for older kids, both programs are aimed at reducing the barriers that usually prohibit students from underrepresented groups from accessing high-quality experiential STEM enrichment opportunities. STEM subjects and their relevance to everyday life are the focus of these programs.

Additionally, WF LEAP is working to build students’ confidence in their ability to pursue STEM education and associated vocations. Research doctorates awarded to underrepresented minorities in science and engineering make up just 11 percent of the total, while they make up 27 percent of the population and 30 percent of the workforce.