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August 4, 2023
Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the New York Yankees, have announced the return of its “STEM Scholars Program” in partnership with STEM Educational Institute Inc. (SEI). Introduced in 2022, the program provides underrepresented New York City (NYC) high school students with the technological skills needed for today’s workforce and financial literacy tools to build generational wealth. The second edition of the program began last week at Yankee Stadium.
“With the increased demand and need for knowledge in the sciences, only 44% of high school students are ready for college-level math, and only 36% are ready for college-level science,” said Nikisha Alci, President and Founder of STEM Educational Institute, Inc. “This partnership is changing the landscape of diversity in STEM and developing a true pipeline of analytical leaders.”
In NYC specifically, the STEM equity gap is wider than in most areas of the US. Only 20% of NYC high school students have access to a physics course and this is worse for students of color. In a research study by the National Science Foundation, students of color and students from marginalized communities have been consistently underrepresented in STEM fields and continue to struggle with access to STEM college programs. It also shows that students of color don’t see themselves as STEM professionals due to the lack of diverse teachers and curricular materials. Additionally, schools located in lower-income communities often receive fewer resources and are less equipped to support teachers or pilot innovative STEM practices.
The Yankees are running a one-week summer program and an additional eight sessions in the fall to serve as a career bridge for students to enter STEM fields. After completing the program, they will be on the path to earning a certification as a Data Analyst or Data Scientist. The curriculum includes:
- STEM and Coding skills: hands-on training to solve real-world problems using the Python coding language.
- Generational Wealth and Future Goals: students enroll in a 529 College Savings Plan (a state investment plan that enables people to save money and pay for education expenses) with a scholarship from the Yankees. They also learn the basics of budgeting and investing to help prepare and save for college through a wealth management curriculum.
- Mental Health Resources: students will get support for coping with stress, study strategies and stress management skills.
- Baseball Analytics: Yankees baseball operations staff members have created a baseball-oriented education module to introduce baseball analytics applications for STEM skills.
- Career Bridge and Financial Stability: on completion of the program, the Yankees provide students with a college scholarship and a stipend to support their daily needs. This stipend allows students to focus on learning skills that can transfer into internships or full-time positions.
“Our annual commitment to this program provides resources that empower and strengthen lives by promoting STEM expertise and financial literacy, which are such critical components to workplace success and long-term personal stability, said Brian Smith,Yankees Senior Vice President of Corporate/Community Relations. “We are also excited to reach underserved populations through this initiative and have a part in cultivating a diverse network of young STEM talent for opportunities at the New York Yankees and beyond.”
The program will conclude with a fundraiser at the Yankees vs Milwaukee Brewers game on September 8.
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