DOE awards $881,000 grant to HCC and UST
Houston Community College, in partnership with University of St.
Thomas, was awarded the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement
Program (MSEIP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The grant will fund the Astra STEM Project, a program that provides a
systematic year-round study of mathematics and science-focused academic
programs and supportive activities to high-need students from sixth
grade through their baccalaureate degrees. The goal of the project is to
increase enrollment and persistence in STEM fields of study with a
particular emphasis on female students. The three-year, $881,000 grant
will deliver the Astra STEM Project to 100 students in its initial year,
with a growth in participation expected in years two and three.
To help minority women achieve STEM degrees and to enter science and
engineering careers, the project will follow each participant through
the program and provide support. Students’ progress will be tracked to
evaluate the impact of the program and to observe how to enhance the
program for improved results.
Every participant gains membership to the Astra STEM Club, a program
offering support and activities to students throughout the academic year
and in the summer months. The Club provides a mentoring program and a
lecture series by leading women in STEM careers to serve as positive
female role models. There are also job shadowing opportunities and
facility tours of science and engineering corporations in the Greater
Houston Area.
In the summer, the Astra STEM Project facilitates academic programs
developed especially for minority participants from middle and high
school to baccalaureate-level students. The Summer STEM Academy, Math
Experience Boot Camp and Summer Research projects not only encourage
student interest in math and science, but each has also been proven to
dramatically improve introductory STEM course scores and persistence at
both HCC and UST.
