Mission of CLD STEM

The mission of the Center for Leadership and Diversity in STEM is to increase the recruitment and retention of African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, females, and other under-resourced populations in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This mission is aligned with the national need to increase the number of STEM experts, for a shortage of talent threatens the country’s ability to drive innovation, compete internationally, and protect national security. This national need coincides with a need from within the United States Army for officers with a higher level of scientific and technological literacy who can effectively lead in an increasingly complex operational environment.

The United States Military Academy at West Point is one of the country’s most highly regarded undergraduate engineering schools, requiring competency in STEM among all its cadets. While West Point has always placed a strong emphasis on STEM, it recognizes the urgent need to do more to increase diversity and innovation in the STEM workforce. The Center has developed a comprehensive program that extends from the middle school level up through the graduate and professional level, seeking to build an overall stronger STEM career path.

Cadet and student sharing a high-five.

Mobile STEM Workshops: The center has developed a series of workshops aimed at promoting STEM among middle schools across the country with a specific emphasis on diverse student populations and/or students from low-income families. During these workshops, West Point faculty and cadets work with students to design bridges, build robots, and fly drones after calculating flight paths, among many other things. These hands-on workshops spark interest in STEM among young students and introduce them to related careers.

Leadership, Ethics, and Diversity in STEM (LEADS) Conferences: The Center supports LEADS conferences hosted by the West Point Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity (ODIEO) by holding a mobile STEM workshop in conjunction with the main conference. In addition, educators from participating schools may join in professional development activities aimed toward effectively integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into their classroom curriculum.

Students and cadets excitedly watching toy tank going over a bridge that was constructed by the students

Science

Real-World Physics

Technology

Robotics

Engineering

Bridge Design

Math

Projectile Motion

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Address: CLD STEM 601 Cullum Road. Thayer Hall, Room 240, West Point, New York 10996.

For more information, email us at usma.stem@westpoint.edu

 

West Point’s Academic Research Directorate (ARD) assists with research requests. You can learn more at the ARD site or by emailing the Associate Dean of Research.