2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The #GOALS (Go Out and Love Science) program, spearheaded by the Ascension Foundation for Health Equity, aims to engage middle school students from underserved communities and ignite their interest in healthcare careers. It is currently in its third year of implementation, rolled out at limited middle schools throughout the country. The program includes one-day events held at partner institutions such as Meharry Medical College, where students are exposed to various careers in STEM and medical fields.
This research examines how participation in the #GOALS program influences students’ educational and career trajectories, with a particular focus on healthcare and STEM fields. The primary objective is to evaluate the program's effectiveness in increasing students' interest in healthcare careers and their engagement in STEM education, with additional researcher-designed interventions such as summer camps, mentorships, parental involvement, and field trips. Feedback from students, parents, and educators will guide continuous program refinement.
To understand the program's impact, the study will follow a cohort of middle school students over five to six years, assessing changes in career interests and academic achievements. Pre- and post-event data will be collected to measure both immediate and long-term effects. Surveys developed by the researchers and Ascension teams will capture shifts in student aspirations and performance at various stages of the program. Initial data will be gathered before each event to establish a baseline of students' attitudes, academic standing, and career interests. Follow-up data will be collected immediately after each event to gauge the event's influence on students’ perspectives.
A long-term tracking system will monitor the academic progress and career development of students who complete the #GOALS program, enabling a comprehensive analysis of its lasting impact. This extended tracking will help determine how early exposure to healthcare and STEM fields affects long-term aspirations and outcomes. Several innovative approaches will be implemented to enhance learning and engagement. For example, the program will integrate Roblox to offer virtual learning experiences related to healthcare and science careers, while social platforms like Roblox and Snapchat will be used to provide students with timely updates on opportunities and program events. Recurring school information sessions, featuring guest lectures and Q&A sessions with professionals from medical and science fields, will be held every two months for grades 6-8 to ensure sustained exposure and engagement.
Key stakeholders, including the researchers, Ascension Foundation, participating schools, and educational partners such as Meharry Medical College, will support the program’s implementation and evaluation. The anticipated outcomes of this study will highlight the influence of early exposure to healthcare and STEM on shaping students’ long-term aspirations. By tracking their progress, the research will pinpoint which program interventions are most effective in fostering sustained interest in healthcare careers. The findings will inform strategies for enhancing and scaling the #GOALS program, making it more broadly applicable and impactful in promoting diversity within the healthcare workforce.