Dean’s Early Research Initiative (DERI) – Pathways to STEM

Final Paper pdf 561KB

Two years ago, we initiated a collaborative program called “Dean’s Early Research Initiative”
(DERI) with area high schools that introduced students to the exciting world of research and
development. These students were placed with engineering research teams within four
engineering and one computer science discipline. The program has tripled the number of
applicants and doubled in size within the span of three years. The students participating are
culturally diverse and include a high percentage of female students. In this paper, we present the
challenges and the benefits inherent in running a program like this as well as quantitative and
qualitative results on the fellow and mentor experience. This will be done in the form of survey
results, tracking of retention and perseverance in the program and goals for the future.

Author(s):

Afroditi Filippas    
School of Engineering
Virginia Commonwealth University
United States

Lorraine Parker    
School of Engineering
Virginia Commonwealth University
United States