Welcome to Stories of Youth in STEM
The Stories of Youth in STEM project was created to open your eyes to the many possibilities STEM has to offer. Here, you’ll hear real stories from college students in Texas who are studying STEM majors at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These students share their journeys—their challenges, high points, and the moments that changed everything for them. You’ll see how they got started, what kept them going, and how support from family, friends, teachers, and their own dreams helped them along the way.This project is made possible thanks to the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development (NSF CAREER) program, one of the most prestigious awards for professors who are leaders in both research and education. Dr. Shetay Ashford-Hanserd received this grant in 2021 to help shine a light on the real-life experiences of students in STEM and to inspire the next generation—including you!
On this portal, you’ll get to experience the first five featured stories from a larger collection that will soon include the journeys of 26 college students in STEM majors. Each story brings you along as students share memories from childhood, talk about tough times and big wins, and show the many different ways you can find your place in STEM—even if you never thought about it before.
We hope these stories spark your curiosity and help you see that there are many paths to a future in STEM. Who knows? You might just discover something you love and start your own STEM adventure!