St. Jude Family of Websites
Explore our cutting edge research, world-class patient care, career opportunities and more.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Home
- Fundraising
St. Jude Family of Websites
Explore our cutting edge research, world-class patient care, career opportunities and more.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Home
- Fundraising
STEMM Education and Outreach Program
The St. Jude STEMM Education and Outreach Program aims to expand and strengthen the biomedical workforce by improving access to K-16 STEMM education.
About St. Jude STEMM Education and Outreach Program
A strong biomedical workforce is essential to accelerating discovery and providing high quality patient care. Access to immersive learning, mentorship, or educational resources can reduce barriers to pursuing biomedical career pathways.
Our activities focus on creating or expanding access through programming that includes:
- School and educator partnerships
- Out-of-School time (OST) science learning opportunities
- Mentored research experiences
- Public policy and advocacy
Related topics
Policy and advocacy
to gain political commitment, policy support, social acceptance and system support to strengthen STEMM education
Teacher professional development
to ensure that teachers have the knowledge, skills and resources necessary to prepare students for careers in biomedical research
Exposure events
to generate awareness and excitement around STEMM programs and careers
Afterschool clubs
to increase engagement with STEMM through hands-on, minds-on activities related to real-world scenarios
Curriculum collaboratives
to work with classroom teachers to co-create learning activities that will engage students and integrate St. Jude science into the school day
Research immersion programs
to provide students with access and opportunity to work directly with scientists who serve as their mentors
Strategic Vision and Goals
Inspired by our St. Jude value to “embrace the challenge to create a new tomorrow,” the vision for the St.Jude STEMM Education and Outreach Program is to ensure every child has the opportunity to see themself as a scientist. Driven by this vision, the program aims to provide clear pathways from preschool through college for students to access authentic science learning experiences that connect to careers in biomedical research.
These goals align with St. Jude’s strategic initiatives to enrich the talent pipeline by developing educational efforts targeted at potential future St. Jude employees and strengthen talent sourcing, hiring, career development, promotion and retention, and community outreach.
By the Numbers
The St. Jude STEMM Education and Outreach Program sponsored 11 student interns.
The St. Jude STEMM Education and Outreach Program curriculum was used in 21 classrooms across 5 elementary schools, reaching over 450 Memphis-Shelby County Schools kindergarten students.
The St. Jude STEMM Club is hosted at 21 schools, serving 280 students.
20 Ambassadors participated in 28 outreach events, reaching 4,458 K–16 students in the Memphis area.
6 scientists participated in the Memphis STEMM Ambassador Classroom and presented at 6 schools, engaging 82 students nation-wide during the Virtual Science Journal Clubs.
Now, in the fifth year of programming, many of our interns have graduated and are working in STEMM industries. A few have even taken positions at St. Jude!
Partnerships
Memphis STEM in Medicine Ecosystem
The STEMM Education and Outreach Program is a member of the Memphis STEM in Medicine Ecosystem, a city-wide initiative aimed at strengthening STEM education specific to the Memphis area.
School Partnerships
The St. Jude STEMM Education and Outreach Program partners with schools to provide access and opportunities for youth to engage in authentic STEMM learning experience during the school day and through out-of-school time programming.
STEMM Stories: Highlighting Our Impact
Kindergarten garden initiative plants seed for the future
The St. Jude Kindergarten Garden Initiative helps students learn about food security, sustainability and make a positive impact by growing their own garden.
Inspiring future data scientists through the legacy of Florence Nightingale
St. Jude is using Florence Nightingale’s data science legacy to inspire students to explore careers in STEMM, especially data science and statistics.
Students reflect on STEMM research immersion experience: “I want to be a role model”
Learn about the transformative summer experience of students participating in the High School Research Immersion program at St. Jude.
Student mentors add an extra level of support to High School Research Immersion Program
Learn how student mentors improve lab productivity and provide support during the St. Jude STEMM Education and Outreach High School Research Immersion Program.