StudentSTEM-NC is a free, student-led mentorship and exploration initiative connecting high school students across North Carolina with professionals, college students, and resources in science, research, and medicine. Our mission is to break down barriers to STEM careers, empower underrepresented students, and build the next generation of innovators and healthcare leaders through mentorship, exposure, and hands-on opportunities.
To become North Carolina’s leading student-powered STEM and medical mentorship network--equipping youth with the knowledge, confidence, and connections to pursue meaningful futures in science, research, healthcare, and beyond.
Three Tracks:
Career Mentorship (Long-term: Monthly mentor meetings)
For students deeply interested in science, healthcare, or research.
Students are matched with mentors such as medical students, residents, researchers, nurses, radiologists, or STEM-focused college students
Includes monthly Zoom check-ins and quarterly progress reviews.
Career Exposure Webinars (Short-term: One-time events)
Monthly virtual panels featuring guest speakers from diverse STEM and healthcare fields.
Open to all students; includes Q&A, breakout discussions, and career spotlight sessions.
Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) Bank (Asynchronous Q&A)
Students can submit anonymous questions about careers, classes, or life in STEM.
Verified professionals respond, and answers are compiled in a public FAQ for all members.
High school students (8th–12th grade) in North Carolina—especially those who are:
Attending Title I schools
Living in rural communities
First-generation college-bound or from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM
8th-grade students may join webinars and AMA, but 1:1 mentorship starts in 9th
Thousands of talented students in North Carolina lack access to mentors, career guidance, or real-world exposure to science and medicine. By offering free, student-powered resources and personal connections, StudentSTEM-NC helps close opportunity gaps and open doors to meaningful futures in STEM