Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Empowering the Future: The LiFE Project’s Phenomenal Impact on Girls’ STEM Interest.
Newark, NJ, Wednesday, August 9, 2023 – The LiFE Project, a groundbreaking initiative funded by the National Science Foundation, has demonstrated remarkable success in fostering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) interest among girls in grades 2 through 6 across seven school districts in New Jersey. This achievement has been highlighted in a recent article titled «The Effectiveness of Using Near-peer Role Models and Mentoring: A phenomenological reflection on STEM for Success» (Bukiet, Yáñez León, et al., 2023) published in the Journal of Engineering Research, previously presented at the Congreso Internacional: Academia Journals “Investigación, Educación Integral e Innovación para el Desarrollo” in Monterrey, México (Bukiet, León, et al., 2023).
The collaborative research, authored by Dr. Bruce Bukiet, Cristo E. Yáñez León B.A., M.B.A. Ph.d. Candidate, and Dr. James Lipuma, delves into the impact of the LiFE Project’s innovative approach to promoting STEM engagement. Through the utilization of near-peer role models and mentoring, the project has made significant strides in igniting interest and passion for STEM fields among young girls.
The LiFE Project employs a holistic approach by involving various stakeholders in the design and implementation of activities. These activities encompass professional development experiences, support for STEM clubs, and platforms for students to showcase their achievements. Even in the face of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project adapted by providing online STEM demonstrations and creating readily accessible digital resources. This adaptability underscored the project’s commitment to ensuring continued engagement and learning opportunities.
The project’s after-school programs have proven to be instrumental in engaging girls in STEM activities and fostering the development of essential 21st-century skills. The LiFE Project’s impact is sustained through the «STEM for Success» initiative, which offers positive STEM experiences tailored to elementary-grade girls. Furthermore, the LiFE Project actively collaborates with other organizations to bolster STEM education and inspire a new generation of female STEM enthusiasts.
The research article in the Journal of Engineering Research encapsulates the LiFE Project’s journey, presenting a compelling case for the project’s efficacy and its potential to serve as a model for organizations aspiring to cultivate STEM interest among young girls at the elementary school level.
Dr. Bukiet et al. study reaffirms the importance of collaborative efforts, mentorship, and innovative strategies in breaking down barriers and stereotypes that have historically hindered girls’ engagement in STEM fields. The LiFE Project is a beacon of empowerment, offering young girls the tools and inspiration they need to thrive in STEM and beyond.
For more information about the LiFE Project and the groundbreaking research article, please refer to the following: Article Link.
Sources
Bukiet, B., León, C., & Lipuma, J. (2023). The Effectiveness of Using Near-peer Role Models and Mentoring: A Phenomenological Reflection on STEM for Success (Congress). Trabajos de Investigación, 15, 1–4. https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/stemresources/35
Bukiet, B., Yáñez León, C. E., & James Lipuma. (2023). The Effectiveness of Using Near-peer Role Models and Mentoring: A phenomenological reflection on STEM for Success. Journal of Engineering Research, 3(18), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.3173182302061
Contact:
Cristo Leon, B.A., M.B.A., Ph.D. Candidate
(he/him/his)
Director of Research, College of Science and Liberal Arts
Office of Research & Development
New Jersey Institute of Technology
leonc@njit.edu • (973) 596-6426
https://www.njit.edu/
«Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success».- Henry Ford.