Creating Equity In STEAM (CrEST)

UCSC CrEST: Creating Equity in STEAM

Our mission is to provide life-changing experiential learning programs that build self-confidence, foster equity, and inspire impactful change in our world. By engaging students from all backgrounds in critical thinking in the context of scientific research and mentorship, CrEST aims to advance equity and promote diversity in science, technology, engineering, art, and math fields. CrEST helps students around the world feel recognized as scientists and researchers—increasing their confidence, continued interest, and participation in STEAM.

UCSC CrEST programs constitute a ramp to provide opportunities for middle school, high school, and college students to engage in STEAM, Humanities, and Social Science research at UCSC.

The CrEST programs include:

(1) Shadow the Scientists (StS) – a free, year-round initiative that allows students to “dip their toes in the water” of STEAM research via real-time Zoom eavesdropping sessions with researchers in fields such as astronomy, geology, microbiology, oceanography, tropical forest ecology, and volcanology. Watch the StS visual story to learn more!

(2) Python and Research (PyaR) – a free Python and R programming tutorial that allows students to learn the “swim strokes” of scientific research.

(3) Science Internship Program (SIP) – an in-person, eight-week immersive summer opportunity on the UCSC campus for high school students to take a “deep dive” into open-ended Humanities, Social Science, and STEAM research under the close mentorship of UCSC Ph.D. students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty. Watch the SIP visual story to learn more!

Funds raised on UCSC Giving Day keep these initiatives accessible and affordable, and provide necessary scholarships for students to participate in our experiential learning programs.

Your donation could make the following impact:

• $75 would provide a stipend for a Python and Research (PyaR) mentor
• $250 would provide a stipend for a StS Subject Matter Expert
• $1,500 would provide critical outreach funding for school visits in CA
• $5,000 would provide a full-tuition scholarship for a SIP intern or a stipend for a SIP mentor
• $25,000 would provide five full-tuition scholarships for SIP interns

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps create a lasting impact in the lives of youth around the world!