Morgan State University

Connecting Students with STEM Pathways

The annual STEM Expo provides a vibrant platform for K-12 and undergraduate students to connect directly with college peers and industry professionals who excel in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines. Throughout the event, younger students eagerly explore interactive stations to participate in hands-on activities while asking college mentors what inspired their chosen fields of study. At the same time, both college and high school students actively engage with career professionals to learn how they secured their roles and navigate their respective industries. These interactions naturally spark dynamic discussions about internships, scholarships, job-shadowing and apprenticeships, creating inspiring and lively conversations that help bridge the gap between academic passion and professional success.

From STEM Concepts to Career Possibilities

Hands-on experiences are an excellent way for students to see how STEM works in the real world. STEM professionals bring age-appropriate activities, games or applications that students can complete while explaining how these tasks relate directly to their careers. For example, students might use the engineering design process to solve guided challenges, such as building a bridge out of a single sheet of paper that can hold a specific weight using flat washers or pennies. Another real-world example includes extracting DNA from strawberries with a biotechnology professional to learn about the building blocks of life and coding robots to draw geometric shapes with a software programmer to explore angles and computational thinking. These interactive projects give students a tangible connection to future career paths.

Personalized Learning, Broader STEM Access

Technology acts as a bridge in STEM education by turning complex, dull ideas into fun, hands-on experiences that every student can understand and enjoy. Digital tools like online simulations, videos and interactive apps let students see how science and math work in real life, no matter where they live or what school they attend. Because every child learns differently, computers and smart programs can change the speed and style of lessons to fit a student's personal needs. This helps students from all backgrounds—whether they live in a rural area, speak another language or have fewer classroom supplies—get equal access to the same great learning materials. By connecting school projects to everyday problems and global careers, technology makes science and math feel relevant, exciting and open to everyone.

Building Confidence through near-peer-mentorship

The profound impact of fostering near-peer-mentors in local middle and high school classrooms is rooted in the powerful relationships they build and the emerging STEM confidence of their K-12 students. Witnessing these younger students develop a genuine interest in technical and biotechnology disciplines and higher education, specifically at Historically Black Colleges and University is deeply rewarding, underscored by recent cohorts requesting and receiving immersive campus tours of Morgan State University. As an educator, program manager and mentor, I believe leadership requires being a visible role model who truly loves the work. My mentees know I am their fiercest advocate and cheerleader, often championing their success in rooms they have not yet entered.

“When leaders are genuinely excited about their careers, students naturally become more engaged and eager to learn.”

While my office remains a safe, open-door space for any conversation, my students respect the boundaries of rigorous professional preparation. During training labs, they must completely master complex technical and biotechnology content before entering public school classrooms. This dedication to excellence opens remarkable doors; for instance, I was recently invited to co-present research in Sonipat, Haryana, India, at a research conference alongside a brilliant near-Peer-mentor student. She is double majoring in electrical and computer engineering and computer science. The conference is in the month of December 2026.

Passion, Experience and Mentorship

To truly inspire students, educators and professionals need three key things: a real passion for their work, hands-on learning opportunities and a commitment to mentorship. When leaders are genuinely excited about their careers, students naturally become more engaged and eager to learn. This excitement should be paired with real-world experiences like site visits, job-shadowing and internships, which allow students to see their skills in action. Most importantly, professionals must act as supportive mentors who encourage, guide and give students every possible chance to succeed.