The St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy is designed as a model afterschool program that engages fourth and fifth-grade students in engineering-focused learning experiences, guided by undergraduate STEM students from the University of Houston .
The research component of the program has two primary goals:
- To study the experiences and development of participants—including elementary students, undergraduate mentors, and family members—as they engage in STEM learning and mentorship.
- To evaluate the implementation and impact of the program on student engagement, engineering/STEM identity formation, and academic confidence.
This research informs best practices in STEM outreach and education, with a focus on broadening participation, fostering mentorship, and creating inclusive learning environments that support all students.