AWARD YEAR: 2024

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

DIRECTOR: WENDY COX

PROJECT TITLE: PROMOTING INNOVATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING IN STEM (PILLS) ACADEMY

The Promoting Innovation and Lifelong Learning in STEM (PILLS) Academy seeks to improve and nurture high school students’ competence and interest in science and mathematics, while sparking an interest in pursuing a career in pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences. Through this project, the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy will engage students in hands-on, inquiry-based STEM enrichment activities, career exploration, and mentorship. To expose students to STEM and careers in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, we will 1) recruit high school juniors and seniors from underserved areas across N.C.; 2) engage students in inquiry-based STEM instruction; and 3) expose students to various career opportunities in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences in their local communities across N.C. We believe this program and approach will ultimately increase the number of students who enter college with intentions of declaring a STEM-related major. Target populations for our PILLS Academy are high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds and students from N.C.’s 78 rural counties. The PILLS Academy will be comprised of didactic and experiential offerings that include (1) a year-long longitudinal program consisting of skill development, career exploration, and mentorship, and (2) two 2-day hands-on learning summer enrichment camps with one offered in Eastern and one in Western N.C. Working with our partners in the Carolina College Advising Corps, Southeastern Community College, and Western Piedmont Community College, students who have displayed high ability or potential in science and mathematics are referred to the program and encouraged to apply. Sixty students are admitted annually to the PILLS Academy.

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