Share Your STEM Story and Expand Pathways for K-12 Students around the World
Share your journey as a student in STEM to spark curiosity, creativity and passion in K-12 students as they explore professional and academic pathways. You'll partner with Belouga.org, a digital platform connecting people in 98 countries, to inspire the next generation of college students.
Project description
STEM innovation is evolving at a rapid pace, and colleges and universities are continuing to add new academic programs that position students for emerging careers. For high school students exploring career and academic pathways, it can be difficult to gain information and clarity related to emerging fields and programs of study. Yet, if we are serious about expanding the pipeline for critical STEM disciplines and increasing the number and diversity of prepared graduates, it is imperative that we engage students early—inspiring them while helping them navigate and prepare for the work. Who better to do so than the people who were in their shoes just a few years ago...you!
The ELN is proud to partner with Belouga to feature the stories of UB students on their own journeys within STEM innovation. The goal of the program will be to spark curiosity, creativity and passion in students interested in exploring STEM, while having UB students reflect on their own journey toward STEM careers. UB students will create an educational video series detailing their journey from first getting introduced to STEM, to how STEM innovation has shaped their university career and finally where STEM will lead them post graduation. The UB Students series will be shared within the Belouga global network, reaching high school students in 98 countries and providing them with a first hand experience and mentorship into what their own journey may look like.
Project outcome
- Students will create an educational series of short videos showing their journey from first getting introduced to STEM, to how STEM innovation has shaped their university career and finally where STEM will lead them post graduation.
- Series will be shared within the Belouga global network, reaching high school students in 98 countries and providing them with a first hand experience and mentorship into what their own journey may look like.
- In addition to personal outcomes related to academic and career reflection and communication of stories, students will contribute to broader impacts related to expanding STEM pathways and access.
Project details
| Length of commitment | Variable (typically 2-3 months) |
| Start time | Anytime |
| In-person, remote, or hybrid? | Remote |
| Level of collaboration | Individual student project |
| Benefits | Volunteer |
| Who is eligible | All students in a STEM major or career field |
Core partners
Project mentor
Christina Heath
Administrative Director
Experiential Learning Network
Start the project
- Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
- After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.)
Preparation activities
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
- Watch this introductory video to learn more about Belouga.
- All featured UB students will receive a login to the Belouga platform to create their series, along with access to best-practice and training materials on building a Belouga series. These series will be featured alongside Belouga’s global network of 150+ organizations supporting K-12 educational experiences, including the United Nations and UNICEF.
- Additional preparation will be assigned through mentor consultation.