Pre-College

Cultivating interest in engineering, chemistry, and other disciplines required for transformative HVACR technologies must start well before college. Middle- and high-school science teachers play important roles in cultivating this interest. EARTH will forge partnerships with local science educators in EARTH-participating regions to build interest among students, with a focus on underrepresented student populations. For example, UH will invite local STEM educators to participate in annual network events and summer research hosted by Hawaiʻi’s Atmospheric Chemistry department. Such activities will effectively leverage EARTH resources and help recruit undergraduates, many of whom are Native Hawaiʻians and Pacific-Islanders. Each EARTH institution will host the EARTH Summer Venture program. Modeled on a pilot KU Summer Venture Engineering Program, the program’s overriding objective is to increase underrepresented-minority (URM) access to engineering higher education. The EARTH Summer Venture will be a full-day HVACR-focused program with hands-on activities, lab tours, and industry-networking opportunities for URM, first-generation, low-socioeconomic students and their families. A unique aspect is a tutorial session for parents/guardians on the engineering profession and on college preparation, such as college and trade-school applications and financial aid. EARTH will also leverage other outreach efforts to students in underserved communities. For example, through the KU KUEST Pathways partnership with the Kansas City Kansas Public School (KCKPS) systems (70% URM), EARTH faculty will work with KCKPS high school students on HVACR-engineering projects.