STEM RISE Opens Doors for High School Students to Explore Paths to Science Careers


Students from Yates High School in Houston’s Third Ward Enjoyed a Hands-on STEM Experience in UH Labs

High school senior Zander Harris has always been curious about how scientists make discoveries in laboratories and how medical professionals prepare for their careers. He wondered what it would be like to slip on a white coat and work shoulder to shoulder with real scientists in a real medical lab.

Nouhad Rizk

Wonder no more, young Zander.

He and five schoolmates from Jack Yates High School experienced all of the above during the STEM RISE summer program, which recently concluded a seven-week session at the University of Houston. The research lab experience and hands-on lessons covering the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math, immersed students in the work and daily life of UH science laboratories.

The program, from the UH College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics teachHOUSTON program and Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, in partnership with Jack Yates High School in Houston’s Third Ward, aims to encourage curious young scholars and help improve the racial and ethnic diversity of professionals who enter scientific and medical fields.

Learn More about STEM RISE

UH Photo and Video Story: STEM RISE