How does culturally informed STEMM training feel?

Community-college students described EMBARC's culturally informed summer training as shifting belonging, skills, and science identity.

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How many summer students participated across years?

43 students in five focus groups.

What were the yearly cohort sizes?

8 (2023), 9 (2024), and 26 (2025).

What qualitative method was used?

Semi-structured focus group interviews.

About how many participants were in each focus group?

8–10 participants.

How many main focus-group questions guided exploration?

Seven main questions.

What was one major thematic area students emphasised?

Guidance, mentorship, and navigation.

What identity-related goal did the study examine?

Students' identity as a scientist or practitioner.

What belonging-related outcome was in the study goals?

Sense of belonging and ability to complete STEMM preparation.

What cultural framing did EMBARC invite students to use?

Bring cultural strengths and authentic selves, including social justice research passions.

What happened if a student declined audio recording?

Researchers stopped the recorder whenever that student spoke (n = 1).

What community-college enrolment figure opens the context section?

8.6 million students in 2022–2023, about 40% of U.S. undergraduates that year.

What kind of training model is EMBARC presented as?

A culturally informed STEMM training approach for community-college pathways.