The department of mathematics and computer science program at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, has received funding from the Nina B. Hollis Institute for Educational Reform to offer scholarships to science camp for high-achieving girls and youth from historically underrepresented groups in the computer science and STEM fields.
The Nina B. Hollis Research Impact Awards provide grants for Stetson research projects that explore ways to improve preschool through high school educational outcomes for youth who are marginalized in society. Currently, the STEM programs at Stetson are lacking gender and ethnic diversity. The faculty at Stetson hopes that this new youth camp will attract more women and students of color to their mathematics and computer science programs.
“The dominance of White males in computer science and STEM fields has been a trend for decades,” the Computer Science Camp proposal stated. “This grant focuses on closing the opportunity gap that affects so many underrepresented and privileged children.”