UMassGives 2023

 

The Polymer Science and Engineering Department at UMass Amherst ASPIRE (A Student-led Program in Research and Education) program recently celebrated 25 years of continuous service. Notably, this program, where local high school students come to the PSE research laboratories and conduct experiments and learn about polymer materials, is envisaged, realized, and directed entirely by PSE graduate students. 

Quote by Kayla Koch, PSE Graduate Student ASPIRE Leader:

“It’s always a pleasure to watch the students go through the program and be excited about science, especially polymers! I am grateful to have this opportunity to inspire the next generation of scientists!”

In 2022, the ASPIRE program impacted 20 high school students from 7 local Massachusetts schools.  The following year, 2023, the program received the highest number of applications ever (over 80!) and increased its impact to 37 high school students from 13 schools with ~25% of the student participants being of underrepresented demographics in STEM. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the ASPIRE program raised funds and was able to offer free transportation to high school students from cities located 30 to 60 minutes driving distance from the University to increase access to the program during its 5 weeks of Saturday sessions.  This request for funding will directly result in a year-on-year increase in student access to the ASPIRE program.