Diversity plays an important part in keeping the STEM industry vibrant and competitive. A rich talent pool with multiple points of view is critical to excellence in the STEM field, powering discoveries and innovations. Former NIH director Francis Collins has noted that the mission of scientific discovery can only be achieved if the best and brightest biomedical researchers, regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic background, or gender, are recruited and retained in the STEM workforce.
Yet, despite these advantages, the U.S. STEM workforce remains overwhelmingly comprised of white and Asian males.
Bringing STEM to Underserved Communities
Learning Undefeated actively seeks to engage students from underrepresented minority groups and level the playing field by bringing hands-on learning experiences to the school’s parking lot. We believe that any student can achieve success in STEM, regardless of the resources they may or may not have had.
Our programs focus on students who are typically underrepresented in STEM careers, especially those from low-income communities. Introducing students to real-world, problem-centric curriculum allows them to gain a deeper appreciation for STEM subjects, better equips them to retain information learned in the classroom, and fosters the development of natural inquiry, higher-level thinking, and creativity.
Enhancing diversity in the pipeline of students and early-career employees who are actively choosing to study and work in STEM is the key to long-term economic growth and competitiveness.