Institution University of Puerto Rico-Humacao State Puerto Rico Academic Level Baccalaureate Issue Area Academic Program Website http://prem.uprh.edu Key Personnel Idalia Ramos Program Focus Pathway/Pipeline, Undergraduate Research Overview The mission of the Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) program is to advance knowledge and diversity in materials science for Latino students. The program provides students with collaborative research and education efforts in the areas of multifunctional nanodevices. From optoelectronic materials and nanoscale interactions of macromolecules at soft and hard interfaces with a multidisciplinary group of researchers from Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR) and the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). Program Description PREM is a collaboration between the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (UPRH) and the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). A diverse group of faculty researchers in physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and engineering fields from three undergraduate campuses of UPR (Humacao, Cayey, and Bayamon) and PENN work in multidisciplinary teams with significant participation of high school and undergraduate students. The primary goal of the education and workforce development program is to attract more Latinos to STEM fields as early as possible in their studies and take them to the next educational level. The program begins with outreach events to the general public and continues with open houses, workshops, and curricula enhancement for K-12 students and teachers. To increase diversity in STEM, PREM seeks high school students from low-income families, students who will be the first in their families to attend college, students who live in isolated rural areas, and women. These high school students participate in summer research experiences. PENN provides access to research instrumentation, computational resources (remote), and library resources. They also host a summer research program for UPR faculty and undergraduate students. PENN faculty, staff, and students (beyond the 10 participants) visit UPR several times every year for research symposia, workshops, talks, and outreach activities. PENN faculty in the program collaborate in the day to day research activities and student mentoring. Outcome Since 2004, over 38,000 students and teachers have participated in educational and outreach activities, including two large science exhibitions brought to Puerto Rico by PREM. Of high school students that participate in summer research, 169 have graduated from high school, and just under 50% have continued to UPRH. With many others pursuing STEM degrees at other institutions. Of undergraduate students, 112 out of the 114 have graduated with bachelor's degrees. In 2016-2018, 67% of research publications and 56% of research presentations had undergraduates and HS students as co-authors. 33 PREM students are currently enrolled in graduate school, while 21 have graduated with a Master's degree, and 13 have obtained their Ph.D. Despite challenges confronted because of Hurricane María, 9 PREM students began graduate studies in Fall 2018. Learn more about Latino College Completion in Puerto Rico Return to Growing What Works Database
