Maine EPSCoR: Increasing Access and Success in the STEM Disciplines

By law, all students, including students with disabilities, should have equal access to and benefit from postsecondary education. Unfortunately, students with disabilities are accessing postsecondary education, especially in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) areas, at a rate far below that of other students. The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, in collaboration with Maine EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research), will develop and evaluate a model for supporting the transition of Maine students with disabilities into STEM-related postsecondary educational opportunities within the University of Maine System (UMS). A package of evidenced-based supports will be provided to participating students and their families, including student and family-centered planning meetings, training, STEM career exploration, mentoring relationships and internships.

Cover of the STEM Model
Kendrick, M., Bragdon-Morneault, M., May, J. and Kurtz, A. (2014). Increasing access and success in the STEM disciplines: A model for supporting the transition of high school students with disabilities into STEM-related postsecondary education. Orono: University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies and Maine EPSCoR.

This publication (191-page PDF)​ contains a package of evidenced-based transition supports that can be used by educators or instructors with high school students with disabilities who are interested in pursuing STEM​-related ​postsecondary  ​​education and careers. The publication contains information and instructional activities related to the following: self-advocacy and self-determination; exploring STEM careers; disability disclosure; the accommodations process in college; identifying assistive technology; mentoring relationships and internships; and using student- and family-centered planning to  prepare​ for college.

Funding Source:

National Science foundation logoFunding provided by the National Science Foundation Award EPS-0904155 to Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine.

Funding Period:

December 2011 – June 30, 2014

Maine EPSCOR logoMaine NSF EPSCoR Project Director and Principal Investigator:

Michael J. Eckardt, Ph.D., Vice President for Research
University of Maine
5703 Alumni Hall, Room 209
Orono, ME 04469-5703

Maine NSF EPSCoR Associate Project Director and Co-Principal Investigator:

Vicki L. Nemeth, Director of Research Administration and EPSCoR
University of Maine
5717 Corbett Hall, Room 443
Orono, ME 04469-5717

Project Coordinator:

Alan Kurtz, Ph.D., Coordinator of Education and Autism
University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies
5717 Corbett Hall, Room 227
Orono, ME  04469-5717
207.581.1262
207.581.1084
TTY users call Maine Relay 711
kurtz@maine.edu

Project Co-Coordinator:

Janet May, M.Ed., Coordinator of Transition and Adults
University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies
5717 Corbett Hall, Room 227
Orono, ME  04469-5717
207.581.1383
207.581.1084
TTY users call Maine Relay 711
janet.may@maine.edu

Links: