Journal of Science Policy & Governance
​Volume 20, Issue 02 | May 16, 2022

Op-Ed: Words Matter: Defining opportunities in STEM to improve rural and urban student outcomes

Benjamin Mansky (1), Rachel Piselli (2), Emily Quarato (3) 
  1. University of Rochester, Center for Translational Neuromedicine, Rochester, NY 
  2. University of Rochester, Department of Pathology, Rochester, NY 
  3. University of Rochester, Department of Environmental Medicine, Rochester, NY 

Corresponding author: Emily_Quarato@urmc.rochester.edu
Keywords: STEM education; technology; rural education; educator preparedness; informal education
https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG200206 ​

Executive Summary

In the United States, significant gaps remain for achieving gender and racial equity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers.  Although our K-12 education system has made some progress in innovating STEM curricula, the U.S. still lags behind other Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges in STEM education, which often require in-person experiential learning. Fortunately, with the advent of COVID-19 more people have come to appreciate the role technology can play in education. While technology certainly has many benefits for the educational process, there is a significant gap in opportunity between those from different socioeconomic and rural backgrounds in the U.S. To ensure the development of a diverse STEM workforce, the House of Representatives needs to take significant action to reduce inequity in STEM learning and outreach. We recommend that the House of Representatives Committee on Science, Technology, and Space clarify the wording within the Innovation for Informal STEM Learning Act (H.R. 3859) to better target underrepresented populations from both rural and urban communities and the House of Representatives Committee of Education and Labor specify the definition of ‘qualified apprenticeship program’ within the STEM K to Career Act (H.R.4727). ​

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Background header image courtesy of NSTA
Benjamin Mansky, Ph.D. is a postdoctoral associate at the Center for Translational Neuromedicine at the University of Rochester. He studies how the epigenomes of glial progenitor cells change with age, and how this may be leveraged to improve cell-based therapeutics. After his post-doctoral work, he aims to continue working on stem cell therapies in the biotechnology sector. 
​
Rachel Piselli, M.S. is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Cell Biology of Disease Graduate Program at the University of Rochester. Her research is focused on understanding the genetic requirements for differentiation during development. Upon completion of her graduate studies Rachel intends to further pursue research as a postdoctoral fellow. 

Emily Quarato, M.S. is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Toxicology program at the University of Rochester. Her research is focused on understanding how radiation impacts the components of the bone marrow microenvironment that support bone formation. After earning her Ph.D., Emily plans to pursue a career in science policy and community education.

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