The 2022 Summer Institute was from June 26-28 in Columbia, Missouri. The Institutes’ theme for 2022 was Translating Critical, Strengths-Based Conceptual Frameworks to STEM Programming & Design. The institute focused on providing program leaders with training relevant to the understanding and implementation of strength-based frameworks for STEM interventions as well as the production of scholarship generated from program outcomes. Through our interactive workshops, panel discussions, and individual coaching, the Institute provided training for its participants to:

• Develop a critical-ecological understanding of the “problem” regarding ‎facilitating underrepresented students’ success and matriculation in ‎postsecondary STEM.‎
• Learn about strengths-based theoretical frameworks, specifically Community ‎Cultural Wealth (CCW), Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems ‎‎(PVEST), and Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), and how they can be ‎used to design, implement, evaluate, and research STEM programming.‎
• To foster an environment where participants can reflect on how to implement ‎the theories of change and measurements into their own practice.

While the previous virtual Institute focused on introducing asset-based theoretical frames, 2022’s in-person Institute elaborated on the practical application of those frameworks to support the grant writing process, publishing work on enhancing STEM inclusion, and STEM-related program design. With that, the goal of the Institute was to provide an engaging and interactive platform designed to result in a pragmatic product.

2022 Summer Institute Program:

First Day:

• Overview of the resources
•  Link their program activities and outcomes to asset-based approaches in STEM intervention program design, research, and logic models.
• Engage the participants in deeper conversations on the applicability of the asset-based theoretical approaches in their current and future endeavors.
• The dinner banquet 

Second day:

• Logic model
• Key Speakers