Improving STEM education for diverse high school students in Memphis
Official title: Memphis STEM-M Ambassadors
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-10920385 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping high school students, especially those from diverse backgrounds, get better at science by connecting them with friendly scientists who can share their research in an easy-to-understand way, while also giving the scientists training to communicate better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $255,625 |
| NIH project number | 5R25GM150178-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10920385 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are high school students, particularly those who are female or from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) backgrounds in Memphis.
✕Less likely to help
Students who are not interested in STEM subjects or who do not reside in the Memphis area may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing STEM education for high school students, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, by connecting them with scientists who can effectively communicate their research. The program includes professional development for scientists to improve their communication skills and a virtual science journal club that pairs scientists with students. This initiative aims to increase students' inquiry and critical thinking skills while providing them with authentic exposure to scientific research. By addressing systemic barriers to STEM education, the program seeks to create a more equitable learning environment for BIPOC students.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve STEM education access and quality for underrepresented high school students.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that similar educational interventions can effectively enhance student engagement and understanding in STEM fields.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ayers, Katherine — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ayers, Katherine
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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.