Dawn Cicchini

I am an employee of Allegheny Health Network's Simulation, Teaching, and Academic Research (STAR) Center. Recently I was given responsibility for a STEMM (STEM+Medicine) program which aims to provide middle school students with an introduction to STEM+Medicine skills and careers, to showcase the ways STEM skills can provide fulfilling careers and to hopefully improve the future diversity of medical professionals in the region. STAR has run a version of the STEMM program for 3 years; this is the 4th year and we are seeing moderate success with student-reported interest in STEM fields and confidence in their own skills on pre- and post-program surveys. Currently we visit 2 schools once per month between October and May, and provide approximately 1.5 hours of activities and lessons structured around STEMM topics, through the lens of medical education (our specialty). We hope to continue and expand the program in the coming years!