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Resources for STEM Students

Academic classes are just one way to learn at AU. Many other experiences out of the classroom provide students with the opportunity to develop skills that are useful in a number of STEM career paths.  

Anti-Racist STEM at AU

The STEM departments at American University are committed to upending traditional STEM education which has sidelined the Black and LatinX communities, women and those from other identities who do not fit the archetype of a scientist. We offer antiracist pedagogy, student groups, internships, scholarships, summer programs, and other opportunities to combat systemic racism in the sciences. Please see the College of Arts and Sciences' Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page for additional information.

CIRCUIT

The Cohort-based Integrated Research Community for Undergraduate Innovation and Trailblazing (CIRCUIT) is a year-long program run by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in partnership with American University. Undergraduate students of any major have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research while building skills to make significant contributions to science. CIRCUIT specifically recruits trailblazing students who can change the face of scientific research.

Underrepresented Students in STEM

The USS club aims to support underrepresented students in STEM and provide them the tools they need to succeed which they may have otherwise never developed. We aim to not only help students maximize individual potential but to give mentorship, guidance, and financial support in furthering education to fuel the next generation of STEM leaders.

AU Women in Science

The WIS Facebook group showcases the many activities (professional, academic, research, service & outreach, and social) that the women and men in the sciences at AU are involved with. This includes the Women in Science (WIS)Student Organization at AU. Current undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, prospective students, faculty, administrators, and friends of WIS are welcome to join. All who are interested in WIS at AU activities are encouraged to become a part of this group!

HEADSUP with McKinley High School

AU students have the opportunity to mentor high school seniors from McKinleyTechnical High School in their senior capstone project. Near-peer mentoring is a fantastic way to give back to the DC community while refining your communication skills and scientific knowledge. 

Coming Soon!

  • Anti-racist STEM reading list
  • Mentoring
  • Diversity Post Doc

Research and Innovation

On-Campus

Faculty in the STEM departments at AU conduct research in a variety of fields and engage students in their research questions. Research interests for faculty are available on the departmental webpages. Once you find a faculty member whose research interests you, contact them using their email address listed to see if they have available research positions.  

Students who conduct research on campus frequently present their findings at the CAS Robyn Rafferty Matthias Student Research Conference. The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) is pleased to announce the 32nd Anniversary of the Annual Robyn Rafferty Mathias Student Research Conference, a forum for CAS students to present original scholarly and creative works before colleagues, faculty, and friends, will take place at the Katzen Arts Center on March 19, 2022.

AU I-CORPS is an National Science Foundation sponsored program designed to foster STEM entrepreneurship and support commercial development of innovations created at AU. We seek applications from students (both undergraduate and graduate) and faculty members who would like to explore the commercial applications of an idea, concept or technology that they have developed.

The Design and Build Lab (DaBL) is a digital fabrication / rapid prototyping / experimentation space located in the Don Myers Technology Building. DaBL is designed to empower and inspire students, staff, and faculty to create things to solve problems. Members of DaBL gain hands-on experience using both 21st and 20th century technology. 

Off-Campus

There are a number of opportunities to engage in research off campus through a variety of summer programs and internships. Many of these programs include a stipend to help offset costs over the summer. Some summer programs are listed below.

AU-Affiliated Programs

AU Students are invited to CIRCUIT, the Cohort-based Integrated Research Community for Undergraduate Innovation and Trailblazing. The CIRCUIT program at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) offers undergraduate students an opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research while building skills to make significant contributions to science. Diverging from traditional summer internships, CIRCUIT students participate in a year-long cohort-based research experience as integral members of APL project teams and participate in unique, hands-on learning in a fun, collaborative environment. The CIRCUIT program provides a generous stipend and opportunities for research during the academic year.

 

Summer Internships and Research Opportunities

We have compiled a list of internships, research and/or clinical opportunities for STEM students. Please check out the Summer STEM Opportunities list.
 

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarships and fellowships are available to help support students who engage in research with faculty on campus.

University Provost’s Office Awards

  • AU Summer Scholar and Artists Program
    Funded by the Office of Undergraduate Education, Scholars will receive up to $4,000 to conduct full-time research that demonstrates the potential to lead to significant scholarly or creative work.
  • Undergraduate Conference Travel Funding
    Students presenting their work at conferences or scholarly events may apply for funds to partially defray the costs of registration and travel.

  • AU STEM Student Summer Research Proposals
    Applications due March 22, 2023
    The College of Arts and Sciences and the NASA District of Columbia Space Grant Consortium are pleased to call for applications for STEM student research support for Summer 2023. 

College of Arts and Sciences Awards

  • CAS Conference Travel: College of Arts and Sciences students who are giving papers or presenting research at scholarly conferences may request up to $400 from the College to help defray allowable expenses of attending the conference. Undergraduates must apply for funding through the Provost's Office first and may not receive funding from both the Provost's Office and CAS.
  • Graduate Research Funding: Graduate students may compete for funding of up to $1000 per academic year.
  • CAS Graduate Scholarships
  • CAS Undergraduate Scholarships
    • Buell Scholarship for collaboration with a faculty member on scholarly or creative work during the academic year
    • Robyn Rafferty Mathias Undergraduate Summer Fellowships for scholarly or creative work done under the direction of a faculty mentor during the summer

In addition, many STEM departments have awards to help support their students engaged in research. Please contact your department directly for more information.

Office of Merit Awards

AU's Office of Merit Awards supports numerous fellowships and awards specifically for science students.


STEM Clubs

Clubs and student groups are an important component of college. These groups bring together students who share the same interests and provide opportunities to learn about potential careers, engage in leadership experiences, and help others. There are student groups for everybody!  

Hosting an AU Science event? Don't forget to submit it here!

Community Service Opportunities

HEADSUP with McKinely High School
AU students have the opportunity to mentor high school seniors from McKinley Technical High School in their senior capstone project. If you are interested in becoming a mentor please contact Dr. Meg Bentley, mbentley@american.edu