STEM program reaching out to smaller communities

PORTALES — Whether it be through science fairs in area schools or lab work for college sophomores, the Eastern New Mexico University Hispanic Serving Institutions Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math programs is set on diminishing stigma about science.

Funded by a $911,000 grant from the US Department of Education, the program develops relationships with area schools by bringing them guest speakers, assisting teachers with curriculum, and scheduling field trips to science labs, according to Outreach Coordinator Zoey Sharp.

"We're starting another five-year grant. For the last five years, there was someone in my position, but the role was slightly different, and they weren't trying to reach out as much past the small Portales community," she said. "I'm really trying to go much further past that, and try to reach all the small communities around here, and get these students involved."

A mission of the program is showing students the variety of careers they are able to pursue in the STEM field.

"Based on different educational research that we've read, students aren't always aware of what's out there and how important these jobs are. They hear mechanical engineer or chemical engineer, or micro-biologist, and they think, 'Oh, that's what some nerdy person does. They sit in an office all day by themselves,'" said Sharp. "That's not really true. I think it's important, because we want these young people to be aware of what's out there, what opportunities are available for them. They don't have to follow the norm; they can really reach out, and it's not just for the nerdy kids."

Robin May, the program's lead specialist, noted the program immerses ENMU students in STEM as early as their sophomore year.

"We're paying about 20 students a semester on campus so they don't have to work at fast-food restaurants (to pay bills). They can work in the research labs with their professors and get one-on-one contact with the professors," she said.

May added that 10 recent graduates have already been published in scientific journals, a distinction Sharp added is somewhat unique for a university.

"It's really neat too, because at most larger schools, most students don't get involved in lab research until they're graduate students, or maybe their fourth year in school," she said. "We have 18 and 19-year-old kids working in these research labs, doing relevant research that's important, that's getting published in big journals, that's going to have medical relevance or relevance in technology. They're actually doing something important."