B2-CARS at Delaware State University
Program Description
Biology, Bioinformatics, Chemistry Academy Research Scholars (B2-CARS) Summer Program at Delaware State University will integrate hands-on discovery activities in chemistry, biology, and bioinformatics with a real-world laboratory research project in human health through wastewater remediation. This program will directly impact 48 middle school students from federally recognized under-represented groups, 4 high school or middle school science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers, 4 STEM undergraduates from Delaware State University each year.
Four middle school teachers will serve as B2-CARS ambassadors. As they return to their respective schools to integrate and implement the newly developed Next Generational Science Standards (NGSS)-aligned curriculum in their classrooms, they could potentially impact 100 additional students per year. The curriculum will include fun hands-on activities in the areas of biology, bioinformatics and chemistry. The long-term goal of the project is to increase the number of underrepresented students entering college majoring in STEM, thereby addressing the problem of under-representation of minorities in these fields. This research study will investigate the ability of a culturally responsive STEM summer program in the area of wastewater remediation to increase participants’ knowledge in STEM, enable participants to hone 21st-century skills as well as positively influence participants to attend college (both undergraduate and graduate school) with a major in STEM.
We would like to acknowledge NIH, NIGMS, and SEPA for providing funding for this program.
Program Goals
- To increase STEM knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy in groups of underrepresented minorities in middle school.
- To increase student participants’ interest in science through hands-on problem solving of water remediation, and foster scientific ways of thinking that involve risk-taking, openness and seeking questions as well as answers.
- To introduce STEM teachers to computational tools and increase their comfort with effectively implementing activities that link bioinformatics, mathematics, chemistry and biology.
- To provide an opportunity for young scholars to interact with diverse scientists, teachers, career professionals and college students who can serve as role models and dispel misconceptions about careers in STEM.
All applications:
Camp Dates: July 1, 2024 – July 26, 2024
Camp Hours: 8 am – 3 pm
Deadline: June 15, 2024 or until slots are filled
Middle school students (rising 7th and 8th graders) who are underrepresented minorities, who are interested, or curious, about STEM, and who live near Dover, Delaware, can access more information here: B2-CARS/student
*Parents click here for frequently asked questions. (forthcoming)
Undergraduate Students who are majoring in S.T.E.M. with a 3.0 GPA can access more information here: B2-CARS/undergrad
High school and middle school S.T.E.M. teachers in Delaware can access more information here: B2-CARS/teacher