How does culturally informed STEMM training feel?
Community-college students described EMBARC's culturally informed summer training as shifting belonging, skills, and science identity.
Source
"It Was Changing [My] Embedded Inner Culture": Culturally Informed Training in STEMM
Study at a glance
- Design
- Qualitative / archival — Semi-structured focus groups across three EMBARC summer cohorts
- N
- N=43 · 43 summer students in five focus groups (2023–2025)
- Population
- Community-college students in a culturally informed EMBARC summer research program
- Outcome
- Reported shifts in belonging, skills, and science identity
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How does culturally informed STEMM training feel?
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43 summer students in five focus groups
A total of 43 summer students participated in five focus groups over three years.
2023 n = 8, 2024 n = 9, 2025 n = 26
Students who participated in summer training program in 2023 ( n = 8), 2024 ( n = 9), and 2025 ( n = 26) took part in the study.
What they did
Across three summers, forty-three EMBARC summer students joined five semi-structured focus groups. Researchers analysed transcripts thematically to understand guidance, skill gains, belonging, and identity change.
What they found
Students emphasised mentorship/navigation, hard skills and hidden-curriculum knowledge, peer bonding, and mindset shifts toward STEMM futures. Many framed the programme as changing 'embedded inner culture' by validating cultural strengths rather than demanding assimilation.
The limits
What it doesn't show
Focus-group themes do not estimate causal effects on degree completion versus a control group. Cohort sizes vary by year, and findings reflect volunteers in one programme model.
Key terms
- EMBARC
- A culturally informed STEMM training model supporting community-college students' preparation and belonging.
- Community cultural wealth
- A framework valuing the knowledge, skills, and networks students of colour bring to education.
- Science identity
- Seeing oneself as a legitimate scientist or STEMM practitioner.
- Hidden curriculum
- Unspoken norms and know-how needed to navigate academic STEMM settings.
- Belonging
- Feeling accepted and connected within an academic or scientific community.
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How many summer students participated overall?
Common questions
How many students participated overall?
43 summer students across five focus groups.
How were yearly cohorts sized?
8 in 2023, 9 in 2024, and 26 in 2025.
What method was used?
Semi-structured focus groups with thematic analysis.
What outcomes did the study aim to examine?
Desire for STEMM careers, belonging, preparation confidence, and scientist/practitioner identity.
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