A NOVEL APPROACH TO INTRODUCING STEM DISCIPLINES TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:THE STEM DISCOVERY PROGRAM

This paper discusses various factors which prevent high school students from pursuing careers related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).A novel approach has been suggested to overcome some of these barriers which will effectively encourage students into these fields.This approach, which is based on introduction of some of the STEM professions and disciplines to students while in high school, will help them to make good, timely and informed decisions about pursuing education and careers in STEM fields.An implementation of the approach presented in this paper has been done at Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston for the past three years.