Black Youth in STEM (BYiS) is an outreach initiative by Smith Engineering dedicated to providing K-12 students with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education within a culturally responsive, Black-positive, and student-centered environment. Our mission is to foster excellence in STEM by ensuring that education is inclusive and accessible to all.
Our program operates on the principle that STEM education should be universally accessible. Aligned with Smith Engineering's humanistic approach, we integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the Ontario Science and Technology Curriculum into our programming. This integration enables students to comprehend and reflect on the profound impact of science and engineering on society, the environment, and global resources.
Our programming is delivered by trained educators and Black-identifying engineering or science students from Queen’s University. Beyond exploring various STEM topics and engaging in hands-on activities, students learn about the significant contributions of Black individuals to STEM fields worldwide. We regularly feature Black professionals and university students as guest speakers, providing participants with inspiring role models.
We offer Black and other racialized children continuous access to high-quality, free STEM programming, which has been instrumental in reducing psychological barriers to STEM education and enhancing their self-perception of academic potential. These challenges are prevalent among Black students in North America, exacerbated by the relatively low Black population in Canada and the scarcity of accessible STEM role models. Our collaborative efforts with various Queen’s University departments and faculties, along with partnerships with local museums, have facilitated the delivery of impactful experiential and exploratory learning experiences to Black youth.
The necessity for programs like BYiS is underscored by research highlighting the challenges faced by Black students in STEM. Studies indicate that Black and Latinx students often encounter gaps in knowledge upon entering secondary STEM education, lack early exposure to STEM, and find that their existing knowledge is frequently unacknowledged in the classroom. These factors contribute to lower persistence and success rates in STEM fields (NYU Metro Center, 2020).
Furthermore, representation plays a crucial role in encouraging Black youth to pursue STEM careers. Given that Black individuals make up a small percentage of the population in North America, a majority of Black Americans believe that visible examples of high achievers in STEM who are Black would significantly motivate young Black individuals to pursue college degrees in these fields (Pew Research Center, 2022). The same belief likely holds true among Black Canadians. Additionally, culturally relevant curricula that reflect the experiences and backgrounds of Black students have been shown to enhance engagement and interest in STEM subjects (STEM Greenhouse, 2023).
By addressing these challenges through culturally responsive teaching, representation, and community engagement, BYiS aims to empower Black youth, fostering a sense of belonging and competence in STEM fields.