Student innovation competitions, exhibitions and training programs are a crucial part of the university environment because they provide students with valuable experience that isn’t always achieved in the classroom. Researchers from Penn State Berks and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCAT) recently received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) for a project focused on advancing equity among underrepresented students in STEM-related innovation competitions and programs.

Led by Sadan Kulturel-Konak,  professor of management information systems and director of the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) Center at Penn State Berks, the project aims to uncover the structural, systemic and social barriers and their impact on students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Student innovation competitions and programs are central to college-level innovation and entrepreneurship-fostering students’ meaningful STEM-based collegiate experiences, according to the researchers.. They enhance student skill development, career readiness and social connections, but many students choose not to engage in them.

“Since these students might come from minority backgrounds, have disabilities or face socioeconomic challenges, it often prevents them from fully participating in these opportunities,” Kulturel-Konak said.

Grown out of a seed funding award from the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) in 2021, Kulturel-Konak and her team were able to conduct preliminary research and provide a theoretical foundation for this work before seeking funding from NSF.

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