Marilyn Mackiewciz’s Ignite inSTEM workshop provides underrepresented high schoolers immersive access to science. Mentoring underrepresented students in chemistry camp In an OSU chemistry lab, high school students created tiny particles invisible to the naked eye. These young students, dressed in lab coats, were also a part of something bigger. They were attending Ignite inSTEM summer camp, a groundbreaking initiative to diversify the biomedical workforce by engaging underrepresented youth in hands-on science for the first time — improving their retention in STEM. Thanks to funds provided by her NSF CAREER award, Chemist Marilyn Rampersad Mackiewicz launched the camp in 2022, partnering with STEM Academy Director Catherine Law. The camp aims to recruit local first-generation and low-income students from Black and Hispanic communities, giving them the opportunity to solve a challenge in human health. This year’s camp included 10 Latinx high schoolers who had never taken a science class before. In a survey, they even indicated they’d never set foot on OSU’s campus because they believed they were not allowed to. “The fact that the room was full of students that have gone through similar experiences made me less nervous to participate because I felt comfortable in the group. For the first time, I was in a science lab full of diversity,” a student said. The students quickly learned chemical safety and engaged in small independent research projects centered on nanomaterial synthesis. Nanomaterial synthesis involves creating tiny materials through controlled chemical reactions. When their basic elements are small enough, nanoparticles take on unique characteristics that are vital for advancements in medicine and electronics. This week-long camp immersed the students in hands-on research, workshops, career coaching and By All and For All EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN SCIENCE 10 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
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