About CompuPower

We’re on a mission to change the experiences of underrepresented students in STEM by owning the collective research on African American, Native American, Latino/x, and Asian American students and producing culturally responsive programs that prepare them for, and help them succeed in, STEM educational programs and careers.

A Culturally Relevant Program for Students

CompuPower is an in-school technology and leadership program designed for 9th-12th grade students in rural areas. Funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Education, through an Investing in Innovation Grant, this program provides teachers with the skills to utilize culturally responsive and gender-inclusive practices in their teaching of science and technology. Students who take the course use technology for research and problem solving, further develop their non-cognitive skills such as self-regulation, and become changemakers in their communities. The program builds on education research begun at Arizona State University (ASU) and it is administered by ASU’s Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology (CGEST) in collaboration with local schools, teachers, parents, industry mentors, and corporate partners.

CompuPower students define how they want to learn, explore, and express themselves. The program is designed “to do and not talk” about what is important to high school students leading the future of technology. CompuPower is an action-orientated course where we believe high school students learn from their lived experiences. Our goal is to expose all high school students to the real world by attending field trips, in-class demonstrations, network sessions with industry leaders, and a free 4-day college experience hosted at Arizona State University to engage students in what a career in STEM could look like.

The CompuPower program began in the Fall of 2017 and has grown to be partnered with a vast array of rural schools throughout Arizona for the current 2020-21 school year.

If you have questions about CompuPower, please contact CGEST.

CompuPower is funded by an Investing in Innovation Grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Professional Development: Culturally Relevant Teaching

Dr. Nkrumah recently hosted a professional development session at Northland Preparatory Academy in Flagstaff, Arizona! Some topics that were covered included:

● Background of Culturally Relevant Teaching
● Becoming a Culturally Relevant Teacher
● Conducting Equity Audits
● Writing Culturally Responsive Curriculum
● Implementing Culturally Responsive Curriculum and Pedagogy

Check out the images from the session below and be sure to check back for future professional development opportunities! 

We have a strict non-discrimination policy, and all individuals are able to apply and participate in our programs and events without regard to race, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, native language, religion, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected by law.