The Scholarships to Enhance Physical Sciences (STEPS) program recruits academically talented students from local high schools and community colleges to pursue baccalaureate degrees in physical sciences disciplines by providing 7-10 new scholarships each year. In addition to financial support, the program provides STEPS scholars with coordinated resources and activities to foster academic success and effective transition to college, including: 1) student-student, faculty-student, and industry-student mentoring programs and workshops; 2) academic enrichment through research projects, internships, and tutoring; 3) interactive sessions on professional and career development; and 4) a first year learning community that includes student enrollment in a triad or tetrad of common courses. The function of STEPS is to 1) provide strategies for early intervention, mentoring, and financial support that translate into greater success for talented, but financially challenged students; 2) increase the participation of talented Hispanics, leading to more Hispanic alumni entering the workforce or pursuing advanced degrees; and 3) develop successful program elements that can be used to promote best practices for early intervention in STEM education.
