Should African-Americans students be encouraged to pursue STEM Majors?
As YSU positions itself to create a new college that will focus on science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM), national and university statistics show that minority students at the undergraduate and graduate level
are not flocking to these majors. Below are the statistics reflecting what areas have the greatest concentration of minority students
State legislators are making a push to increase the number of students entering the STEM fields across the board. Ohio House
Speaker Jon Husted (R- Kettering) announced on April 23 the development of a $100 million scholarship program for students
attending Ohio?s colleges and universities.
The $100 million in college aid will have an emphasize students pursuing the STEM majors. Other legislation includes S.
761 America COMPETES. This bipartisan bill was introduced in March and would authorize funds to be used to increase graduate
fellowships The bill would also increase programs that encourage students to earn master?s degrees in math and science.
A second piece of legislation is The Ten Million Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science, and Math Scholarship Act.
Congressman Bart Gordon (D-TN), who serves as the Chair of the House Committee on Science and Technology introduced
bills, H.R. 362, the 10 Million Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and the Math Scholarship Act. This bill is a revision
of the Robert Noyce Scholarship program. The program provides scholarships, stipends, and teacher training to science,
mathematics, and engineering students in exchange for their services as elementary or secondary school teachers.
Legislation has been created specifically for Historically Black Colleges and Universities to encourage minority
participation in the STEM majors.
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