The Effectiveness of Using Near-Peer Role Models and Mentoring: A Phenomenological Reflection on STEM for Success [Peer-reviewed journal]

In this paper, we explore the LiFE project’s innovative approach in encouraging STEM engagement among young girls through near-peer role models and mentoring, demonstrating its effectiveness even amidst COVID-19 challenges.
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Exciting Announcement: Publication in the Journal of Engineering Research

I am thrilled to share our latest publication in the esteemed Atena Editora Journal of Engineering Research. The paper, titled «The Effectiveness of Using Near-peer Role Models and Mentoring: A phenomenological reflection on STEM for Success,» is a collaborative effort with distinguished colleagues Bruce Bukiet and James Lipuma. It’s an honor to be a part of this paper (Bukiet et al., 2023a).

Paper Abstract:

The LiFE project is a National Science Foundation-funded initiative that aims to promote STEM interest among girls in grades 2 through 6 in seven school districts in New Jersey. The project utilized a collective impact approach and involved stakeholders in designing and implementing activities, which included professional development experiences, STEM club support, and student showcases. Despite COVID-19 challenges, the project provided online STEM demonstrations and produced freely available digital resources. The project’s after-school opportunities are crucial in engaging girls in STEM activities and developing 21st-century skills. The project’s mission continues through STEM for Success, which provides positive STEM experiences for girls in elementary grades and collaborates with other organizations to promote STEM education. The LiFE project can serve as a model for organizations seeking to promote STEM interest among girls in elementary school.

Presented at Academia Journals:

This paper was presented at the Congreso Internacional de Investigación Academia Journals Monterrey 2023 (Bukiet et al., 2023b).

Read Our Paper

You can access our paper in the Atena Editora Journal of Engineering Research, Vol. 3, No. 18, pp. 1–7, 2023. Read here.

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge support for Leadership and iSTEAM for Females in Elementary School (LiFE) and STEM for Success from the National Science Foundation under award number #1744490 and from Howmet Aerospace Foundation.

Disclosure statement
No conflict of interest pertains to the research presented above.
ORCID
Bruce Bukiet https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8172-3937
Cristo Leon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0930-0179
James Lipuma https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9778-3843

Copyright

All content in this magazine is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Attribution-Non-Commercial-Non-Derivatives 4.0 International (CCBY-NC-ND 4.0)

Document

Sources

Bukiet, B., Yáñez León, C. E., & Lipuma, J. (2023a). The Effectiveness of Using Near-peer Role Models and Mentoring: A phenomenological reflection on STEM for Success [JER]. Atena Editora Journal of Engineering Research, 3(18), 1–7. /Research/Education. https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.3173182302061

Bukiet, B., Yáñez León, C., & Lipuma, J. (2023b). The Effectiveness of Using Near-peer Role Models and Mentoring: A Phenomenological Reflection on STEM for Success [Presentation at Congress]. Trabajos de Investigación, 15, 1–4. /Research/Education. https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/stemresources/35