K-12 outreach

Given that one goal of the DEI is to increase the enrollment, retention, and graduation among under-represented students in engineering, we place an emphasis on building the pipeline of K-12 students interested in pursuing engineering degrees. 

With support of faculty, staff, and graduate students, we offer events to encourage K-12 students to consider degrees in STEM. These include Women in Engineering and Computing Career Day, Girl Scout Days, Engineering the Cell, Massenberg Summer STEM Institute, and Summer ENGineering Institute (SENGI). The DEI also cultivates strong relationships with three nearby high needs districts—Springfield, Holyoke, and Greenfield—as well as with the Amherst Regional Public Schools. This includes partnerships with the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club, Springfield Boys & Girls Club, Girls Inc. of the Valley, Amherst Regional Middle School, Easthampton Middle School, Makers at Amherst Media, and the Mass 4H Youth Development Program.