As the demographics of the United States change, the ability of medical and health professions programs to effectively recruit, train and retain individuals from populations currently underrepresented in these fields has become increasingly important. Studies have found that access to diverse care providers improves care outcomes and impacts healthcare disparities (Gomez & Bernet, 2019). Pathway programs are one approach to increasing the number of well-prepared learners from underrepresented populations. However, there is little available published research to guide planners seeking to implement or enhance their pathway programs, particularly at the K-12 level (Ogunyemi et al., 2023). It is important to support learners at a young age, because interest in science-related fields declines or fails to develop in late elementary or middle school for many children (Maltese & Tai, 2011). Thus, programs that bolster interest and achievement during K-12 education can be influential in keeping learners in the medicine and health professions pathway.  

In this workshop, we will share tips and strategies to develop new or expanding existing programming and move from isolated K-12 opportunities towards a systemic, multigrade pathway approach with partner schools and districts. Participants will work collaboratively using a brainstorming tool to identify gaps in existing programming, consider their current offerings within their context, and develop a plan to move past a “checkbox” approach towards a thoughtful, cohesive pathway with multiple programs. 

Learning Objectives:

• Describe opportunities and strategies for establishing, enhancing, and sustaining K-12 pathways and partnerships
• Apply a planning tool to identify gaps in current pathway programs and stakeholders/partners (internal and external) to engage in next steps
• Describe example models of K-12 pathway and program partnerships in STEMM 
• Develop a preliminary action plan to investigate and establish partnerships and pathways with local educational partners
• Establish accountability and peer support networks with other health professions universities 

The agenda and schedule for this event is outlined below and is subject to change. 

• 10 min – Introductions and small groups sharing of current pathway programs
• 20 min – Description of a school-based pathway program history and its partnerships, introduction to the planning process, areas of need and program growth
• 50 min – Small group discussion guided by planning tool - Identify gaps in current programming, brainstorm potential partners and barriers, identify stakeholders to engage in next steps
• 20 min – Large group discussion and share out; Debrief on identified barriers and gaps to be filled
• 50 min – Invited speakers from K-12 partners and pathway programs (including pathway program student(s)/former participant(s), teacher(s), administrator(s)) to share examples of models of K-12 engagement and engage in a Q&A session with attendees 
• 10 min – Description of Lessons learned at BCM across our longitudinal pathway programs
• 15 min – Accountability planning with peer groups
• 5 min – Summary and Wrap-up

Optional tour of DeBakey High School

This workshop is presented by the following professionals:

	Nancy Moreno, PhD, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Education, Innovation & Technology, and Director of the BCM Center for Educational Outreach, and has led numerous local and national collaborations to improve opportunities for youth to enter STEMM career pathways.
	Matt Blank, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the BCM Center for Educational Outreach and a trained molecular biologist with experience in undergraduate biology education, STEMM pathway development through AAAS, and served as a principal investigator for STEMM education initiatives funded by the National Science Foundation.
	Alana Newell, PhD, is an Assistant Professor and the Assistant Director of the BCM Center for Educational Outreach and serves as the internal evaluator on multiple STEMM pathway-related projects in the Center.

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