A program that immerses K-12 students in STEM education
Official title: SciTrek: How Science Works
Funded at University of California Santa Barbara · NIH-10890824 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping K-12 students, especially girls and underrepresented minorities, get excited about science by letting them do fun hands-on activities where they can ask questions, run experiments, and share what they discover with their friends.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Barbara NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Barbara, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $251,896 |
| NIH project number | 5R25GM146309-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890824 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are K-12 students, particularly those in 2nd to 8th grade, who are interested in science and technology.
✕Less likely to help
Students outside the K-12 age range or those not interested in STEM subjects may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
This program, called SciTrek, engages K-12 students in hands-on STEM activities, allowing them to explore scientific questions through observation and experimentation. Students work in groups, guided by trained mentors, to develop testable questions and create experimental plans. Over several days, they analyze data and present their findings, fostering critical thinking and numeracy skills. The initiative aims to inspire underrepresented minorities and girls to pursue careers in STEM fields by providing them with a sense of ownership and identity as scientists.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly increase the interest and retention of K-12 students, particularly girls and underrepresented minorities, in STEM careers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous outreach programs have shown success in engaging students in STEM, indicating that this approach has potential for positive outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reich, Norbert O. — University of California Santa Barbara
- Study coordinator: Reich, Norbert O.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.