2023 Collaborative Network for Computing and Engineering Diversity (CoNECD)

Abstract Title: Diversifying STEM Pathways: Math Circles of Chicago; Keywords: Pre-college, Race/Ethnicity, Socio-economic status, 1st Generation

Math enrichment is a pipeline to STEM and computing careers, but its most common forms (contests and tutoring) have a limited impact on diversifying that pipeline. Math Circles, a form of math enrichment that is accessible, collaborative, and fun, has the potential to dramatically increase the number of underrepresented students accessing and staying on pathways that lead to STEM careers.

HP Inc. has made a significant investment in Math Circles of Chicago (MC2), an enrichment program that creates opportunities for all children across Chicago to develop a passion for mathematics. MC2 achieves its mission by providing free, novel, high-quality math enrichment to 5th-12th graders across the city. MC2’s offerings include Hubs (Saturday programs at universities and schools), after school programs, online sessions, and summer camps, as well as programming in homeless shelters and community centers. During the 2021-2022 academic year, it served 1,000 students and hopes to grow to 2,500 students during the current year.

This presentation will share how:
1. Math enrichment is a pipeline to STEM and computing. Most common forms of math enrichment are contests and tutoring, that are ineffective in diversifying the pipeline.
Pathways. Diversifying the path--how does it really happen. "Diversifying the path"--double meaning, increasing representation, but also the path itself reflects kids' identities back to them.
2. HP is investing in MC2. What's a math circle? A bit of history with a transition into diversifying UIC summer high school camp
3. The HP-MC2 project focuses on underresourced Black middle schools in Chicago, results so far, plans for expansion, ways of measuring impact & challenges, and the number of students we handed off to the next step in path.
4. The team is envisioning our part of the pipeline and connecting it to the larger pipeline.

Abstract created in partnership between HP and MC2 includes Doug O'Roark doug@mathcirclesofchicago.org; Boz Bell boz.bell@hp.com; Michelle O'Malley michele.omalley@hp.com; Kathleen Howarth kathleen.howarth@hp.com; and Tiffany Grant King tiffany.grant.king@hp.com.