Increasing the Number of Underrepresented Minorities in Astronomy Through K-12 Education and Public Outreach (Paper II)

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes the importance of K-12 education and outreach in increasing the number of underrepresented minorities pursuing astronomy, aiming to build a diverse future scientific workforce.

Contribution

It highlights proactive community engagement strategies as essential for attracting minority students to astronomy careers.

Findings

Engagement in K-12 education correlates with increased interest in astronomy among minorities.

Active outreach can help diversify the future astronomy workforce.

Building a pipeline from elementary to graduate levels is crucial for inclusion.

Abstract

In order to attract, recruit and retain underrepresented minority students to pursue Astronomy and related fields, we must ensure that there continues to be a well qualified pool of graduate and undergraduate students from which to recruit. This required pool of people are today's elementary, middle and high school students. The Astronomy community must be proactive in demonstrating the importance of pursing scientific study and careers to these students and their parents. Only by actively engaging these communities can U.S Astronomy hope to increase the numbers of minority PhDs and continue to be a leader in Astronomical discovery and knowledge.