Knox Scholars Data Science Research Program

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Project Abstract Broad Objectives: The Knox Scholars Data Science Research Program will work to promote the power of young people, especially Black and Latinx youth, to diversify the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Participants will be Boston area high school students who are underrepresented in STEM fields (Black and Latinx youth, first-generation college students, low-income students). Combining paid data science internship opportunities, college access and persistence, career readiness supported by professional mentorship, and social-emotional learning programming will enable youth to access the financial stability associated with a booming STEM industry without leaving the city where they grew up, while also supporting local industry with a more diverse and well-prepared applicant pool. Specific Aims: The Knox Scholars Data Science Research Program will reach 150 Boston-area high school students typically underrepresented in STEM fields over five years to increase: (1) Knowledge and skills of data science through programming over two years; (2) Career readiness in data science through mentorships for each participant with a data science professional, data science career exploration events, and career readiness workshops; (3) College access and persistence through college visits, college readiness workshops, and individualized college application, financial aid, and scholarship application support; and, (4) Youth leadership supported through social emotional learning programming and opportunities such as a Youth Leadership Team and youth-led workshops. Design and Methods: This two-year program will consist of: (1) two paid data science internships, the first summer focused on training and the second summer focused on applied skills; (2) college access and persistence programming; (3) career readiness supported by mentorship; and, (4) social-emotional learning programming for a total of 150 Boston-area high school students underrepresented in STEM careers. Each summer 30 youth (24 of whom will be paid through this grant) will begin the program with a five-week paid data science training internship at MIT. Youth will learn quantitative methods, data analysis and coding alongside basic wet lab skills to better prepare them for internships and careers in data science fields. In addition, youth will gain skills critical to success such as time management, proactive communication, networking, and public speaking. These 150 youth will be part of a larger program called the LEAH Project that will place a total of 500 Boston-area high school youth in paid STEM internships during the grant period.