VIRTUAL: Learning. Life. Work.

Abstract

Making STEM more Innovative. Become less of an acronym and more an amalgamation. Considering strategies to encourage more inclusivity and creativity through redesign of gateways, leveraging design thinking strategies and encourage students to think outside the box, experiment with different approaches, and embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Seek to foster innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset for career ready students that have empathy and collaborative approaches to working within diverse teams. As we examine this challenge, it is important to reflect needs both for more pragmatic advice and deeper senses of connection and social meaning regarding the subject matter. Increasing minority participation in STEM programs in higher education requires a comprehensive approach that addresses various barriers and promotes inclusivity. We are adopting a multifaceted approach to both address the participation diversity and the shifting nature of education models to support industry 4.0. This requires a focus on developing the skills and knowledge that align with the demands of the rapidly changing technological landscape, increased collaborative approaches with diverse teams. Our goal is to develop key intervention strategies that will create a net upward force, to increase persistence, reduce attrition, and successfully increase diversity in the STEM pipeline and workforce, while simultaneously stimulate deeper investigations into future industries.