On nearly all indicators related to STEM preparedness, Mississippi (MS) consistently ranks as the worst or nearly the worst in the United States. Only 20% of MS 8th graders demonstrated science proficiency and only 4.6% of MS high school students earned a 3 or higher on an AP exam in 2018.13 In 2019, only 37.4% of MS students met the national standard for college and career ready. This impacts the STEM pipeline. While MS needs medical practitioners, we also need a wider biomedical workforce including a public health workforce to address the health challenges and inequities Mississippians face.
Project SCORE operates with the following mission: As a comprehensive science enrichment program, we engage with students in participatory educational and research experiences in public health disciplines. Project SCORE aims to engage, educate, and mentor students to participate in the health sciences. The program meets on a weekly basis during the academic year. The sessions bring experts, graduatestudents, and undergraduate students together to facilitate engaging, interactive health science lessons. Year 1 of the program is now complete and year 2 is underway.
Two community organizations, the Boys & Girls Club in Oxford, MS and Stewpot Community Services in Jackson, MS, will serve as integral partners in Project SCORE. Each organization will host a workshop.