Rensselaer is committed to providing opportunities for underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students in grades K-12 that will improve their access to and their ongoing success in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. We accomplish this through year-round and summer pre-college pipeline initiatives including:
- Tutor Time (America Reads and Counts)
- RPI STEP Program
- PREFACE Program
- The Harlem Academy Collaboration for Innovation
- GE Girls
Additionally, we have contact with individual college-bound students who would like guidance and support as they progress through high school. We work with a growing number of committed organizations across the country who are also engaged in providing appropriate mentoring and enrichment to ensure their constituent students are prepared for success as they embark upon college education in the traditional STEM fields.
Rensselaer has provided enriching experiences for underrepresented and socially disadvantaged students since 1978 with its first PREFACE summer program, and 1986 with the STEP Program. In addition, Tutor Time (1995-present) and Harlem Academy (2010 - to present) have continued to inspire students to achieve in school and pursue studies in the STEM fields. It has also hosted the NY State Gear-Up program, NYS5STEM, the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp @ RPI (2008-2017),and GE Girls (2012-2019) working with local and NYC school students.
For more information on these programs, contact Cynthia Smith, Program Director via smithc@rpi.edu or call (518) 276-3098.
Experience Rensselaer
There are several ways experience Rensselaer and to learn more about the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to get hands-on experience to prepare to enter these fields, and to explore possible careers in these areas. Rensselaer hosts a number of programs designed to engage students to prepare them to pursue an undergraduate degree and profession in one of the STEM fields including:
- STEP - The Science Technology Entry Program
- PREFACE
- STAR
STAR (Science, Technology, Arts at Rensselaer) Program at Rensselaer - Experience life as a Rensselaer student—attend classes, tour campus, visit our laboratories and facilities, and socialize with current Rensselaer students. This event is held in conjunction with the fall admissions open house. - Black Family Technology Awareness Day
- Design Your Future Day
- Summer@Rensselaer
- Campus Virtual Tour
Prepare for Rensselaer
Setting a course for Rensselaer involves a lot of hard work. The rewards only begin with a first-class degree in one of the Science, Technological, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) fields. Below are resources to prepare yourself to apply to Rensselaer.
Information for Teachers
RPI ENGINEERING AMBASSADORS
The RPI Engineering Ambassadors (EAs) are a group of RPI engineering students devoted to inspiring younger students with what they are learning in their chosen major including the newest technological breakthroughs, and the real-world challenges yet to be overcome to better our world. The RPI EAs visit public and private K – 12th grade classrooms and support Afterschool & Saturday morning science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) clubs. We share presentations and incorporate engaging hands-on activities of real-world applications of STEM-related topics that students learn in their classrooms.
Programs are provided in-person and virtually. For more information, go to RPI Engineering Ambassadors.
