Report summary
Black students have long confronted systemic barriers hindering their access to STEM opportunities. Despite incremental progress, these disparities persist, perpetuating inequalities in economic and societal spheres. However, the concept of aptitude-powered education emerges as a promising solution, offering a pathway to bridge the gap and empower Black students to excel in STEM fields.
Highlights from this report:
- Insights and data analysis of anonymized data from 328,000 Black middle and high school students from 2019 to 2023
- Aptitude and exposure gap data for STEM career fields such as Computers & Technology and Advanced Manufacturing
- Recommended solutions from YouScience and Black Girls Do STEM to engage Black students in STEM and close the exposure gap for these careers.
The data shows Black students have aptitudes for STEM careers. The issue, as you’ll see in the report, is student interest in these careers is low due to lack of resources and representation.
Black students have the aptitude for Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced Manufacturing includes high-skill careers such as electrical engineering, mechatronics, and manufacturing technicians.
Black students have the aptitude for Computers & Technology
It’s estimated that there will be approximately 377,5000 Computers & Technology job openings each year, on average.
Download the 2024 Black Students and STEM Report
About YouScience
YouScience® is the leading technology provider dedicated to solving the skills and exposure gap crisis for students and employers. Its end-to-end platform, YouScience® Brightpath, connects education with career applications designed to help students unlock their potential for future pathways. YouScience leverages proven research, artificial intelligence, and industry input to help individuals identify their aptitudes, validate their skills and knowledge, and get matched with real-world educational and career pathways in high-demand occupations. YouScience is the preferred choice of individuals, parents, educators, and counselors to guide and support educational and career pathways, currently serving more than 9,200 educational institutions and millions of users nationwide.
About Black Girls Do STEM
Black Girls Do STEM envisions a “new normal” where there is equitable representation of Black women across all STEM fields. The goal is to create a cradle-career pathway to strengthen and diversify the pipeline of skilled workers entering today’s dynamic labor market. BGDSTEM specifically targets Black girls who have been traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. BGDSTEM works to advance 21st century skills necessary to complete rigorous academic programs and obtain family-wage employment. By creating a culturally affirming learning space, BGDSTEM gives room for cognitive and mental resilience. BGDSTEM programs provide a seven-year continuous pathway for Black girls beginning in 6th-12th grade and through university and workforce entry.