Keeping America Competitive - Scientific innovation has produced roughly half of all U.S. economic growth in the last 50 years (NSF, 2004); and The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects significant growth in the overall STEM workforce. 17 of the 20 fastest-growing occupations over the coming decade will be in health care and computer fields.
BUT - only 5 percent of U.S. undergraduates today earn college degrees in science and engineering, compared to 42 percent in China. (The National Math and Science Initiative).
We Are Helping - Students 2 Science, Inc., is a 501 (c)3 New Jersey non-profit corporation inspiring, motivating, and educating students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). We ensure that our program is available to all students, Encouraging the pursuit of STEM subjects is especially important as most students have considered these fields of study to be unattractive or out of reach. We make our program available to all students, with a special emphasis on underrepresented groups including women and inner city students.
Our Concept- Commercial laboratory environments are generally “off-limits” to the general public, and especially to14 year old students. Science today requires use of sophisticated, expensive instrumentation. Very few students receive the opportunity to touch and understand how these tools work. Collecting instruments like chromatographs and spectrophotometers into a central location makes this experience possible. Students operate these instruments while working side-by-side with local practicing scientists and engineers. This experience generates enthusiasm, reduces student intimidation and makes the STEM career path more accessable.
A Scientific Spark
In 2008, Dr. Paul Winslow and Dr. Richard Meyer conducted a “day of science” for a local eighth grade class. Dr. Meyer designed four experiments intended to reinforce basic concepts in chemistry, math, and engineering. The students used sophisticated laboratory instruments, performed calculations, and loved it! This program was so well received that in January of 2009, Dr. Winslow approached Donald Truss with the idea of expanding the concept and making it available to all students. Together, Richard, Don, and Paul created Students 2 Science, Inc. (S2S), a non-profit organization designed to inspire, motivate, and educate students to pursue career opportunities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). S2S initially looked to accomplish this by providing the students with a “Day in the life of a scientist” visit to our local Technology Center, where they participate in age appropriate, and exciting, hands-on experiences designed to encourage the students' interest in these important fields. The S2S concept has since expanded to include year-long programs in schools, continuing education for teachers and school administrators, outreach programs, and a virtual lab for remote and ongoing learning experiences.
Our Goals • reduce the intimidation factor of STEM elated activities • create exciting experiments to run in a real laboratory environment with sophisticated equipment not available in most schools • provide an educational experience that will springboard students into additional scientific learning • connect the students with motivated individuals who have successful and rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
