Cultivating Equitable Education for Pacific Islander STEM Students Through Peer-Mentored Research Experiences

• In Event: Cultivating Equitable Education Systems: Reaffirming the Role of Indigenous Sciences

Abstract

This study provides insight into how nine apprentice researchers, each of Pacific Islander descent and upbringing, experienced engagement in an undergraduate research experience that employed a peer mentoring approach in addition to faculty mentoring as a means of cultivating more culturally responsive, and thus more equitable research experiences for the apprentices. Initial analysis of the data indicates that the apprentices both appreciated and benefitted from the peer mentoring in a number of different ways. The findings presented provide insight into both academic and cultural factors that influence the engagement, persistence and retention of Pacific Islanders pursuing STEM careers.

Authors

• Tobias Irish, University of Hawaii - Hilo

• Joseph Genz, University of Hawaii - Hilo

• Monique Storie, University of Guam

• Junita Jetley, University of Hawaii - Hilo

• RoCelia Paulino

• Muturwan Choay, University of Guam