STEP into SCIENCE

Sponsored by the
National Science Foundation
Project: DUE-0622197     

Program Description and Mission

The STEP into SCIENCE program at Medgar Evers College/City University of New York is a comprehensive Type 1 Science Talent Expansion Program (STEP) that will increase the total number of MEC students earning baccalaureate degrees in STEM majors in Biology and Environmental Science. The program represents an interdisciplinary effort between the Department of Biology (BIO) and the Department of Physical, Environmental and Computer Sciences (PECS) and is based upon best practices of academic research from across the country designed to increase interest and retention of students in STEM disciplines, and ultimately raise the number of graduates that enter professional careers in the sciences. Both BIO and PECS departments have initiated and participated in numerous activities to advance their programs, improve the quality and quantity of their majors, and educate non-majors and the community to the importance of science in their lives. STEP into SCIENCE will provide a means to further increase the number of students majoring in and graduating with baccalaureate degrees and represents a logical step in Medgar Evers College’s continued quest to afford the highest quality science education to the urban community it serves.

Program Goals

(1) To aggressively recruit new students and non-STEM students from within the college who select majors in either the Department of Biology or Department of Physical, Environmental and Computer Sciences; 

(2) To improve retention of our science majors by providing additional academic, financial and mentoring support;

(3) To strengthen both academic departments with curricula that fosters the integration of research, technology and academics to better equip our majors with the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful applicants to graduate/professional programs; 

(4) To increase the number of students that graduate with baccalaureate degrees in Biology or Environmental Science, and ultimately enter rewarding careers in the science enterprise.

Program Faculty

Program Director Dr. Margaret A. Carroll	Co-Program Director Dr. Edward J. Catapane
Program Faculty Professor Dereck Skeete

Student Participants

Students interested in careers in Biology or Environmental Science should apply to be part of the STEP into SCIENCE program.  

The program will provide accepted MEC students with many benefits including:

Stipends, Special Courses, Tutoring, Enriched Counseling, Conference Participation, Travel, Special Activities, Research Internships and more.

Click here to download a STEP into SCIENCE application