SEM Link Receives Additional Support from Science Sandbox for STEM Journal Club

ATLANTA - Dec. 2, 2022 - PRLog -- Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link Inc. (SEM Link)  has received additional support, a gift of $50,000,  from Science Sandbox, an initiative of the Simons Foundation  for its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Journal Club. The STEM Journal Club is a newer program of the Experimental Design Program that cultivates future STEM Researchers, with priority consideration given to students from ethnic and racial historically excluded in STEM, by developing their STEM communication and literacy skills. SEM Link has hosted two cohorts of the STEM Journal Club for Metro Atlanta students: the first cohort in the 2020-21 program year and the second cohort in the 2021-22 program year. In the second cohort with funding from Science Sandbox, the curriculum was enhanced with a podcast instructor that guided the students in the development of their podcast episodes, which are featured on our SEM Explained podcast. This additional funding, for the 2022-23 program year, will provide SEM Link with resources to refine the program curriculum and structure during the third cohort. "I am thankful to Science Sandbox for their trust-based philanthropy and investment in this work. The additional support affords us the opportunity to further develop a program model to encourage youth of color to engage in STEM Research" states Ms. Tokiwa T. Smith, SEM Link Founder and Executive Director.

The STEM Journal curriculum enhancements include a new curriculum based on a National Institutes for Health (NIH) framework for reading scientific journals. Each month a STEM Researchers in the STEM discipline of the journal article of the month, will attend one of the sessions to serve as a guest lecturer to participate in the discussion of the journal, talk to students about their research and the importance of STEM Journals in their career. The students will also attend field trips and attend social events. This cohort will also record a podcast episode to be aired on our SEM Explained podcast.

About Science Sandbox

"Science Sandbox supports boundary-pushing, interdisciplinary projects that support science in culture. We identify people and organizations who seek to inspire and empower, and partner with them to support their vision. Through our partnerships we strive to bring to light the role scientific inquiry can play in people's day-to-day lives, while centering communities and voices that have been historically underserved. For more information about Science Sandbox, visit our website at sciencesandbox.org For all press-related and awardee-related matters and inquiries, please contact sciencesandbox@simonsfoundation.org.