CASTEM

Expanding Minds. Inspiring Leaders.

Encouraging West Virginia's young people to pursue careers in the STEM areas is the mission of our Center for the Advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CASTEM). Here's how we do that:

• We seek opportunities for bridging gaps in the mathematics skill level of entering freshman while encouraging them to pursue STEM majors.
• We increase the number of STEM majors who receive significant research experience at the undergraduate level.
• We mentor and address the needs of the students enrolled in STEM disciplines at WVSU to ensure retention and graduation.
• We promote math and science starting at the K-12 levels and extending to college graduation.
• We offer professional development to K-12 teachers.
• We seek funding which will create opportunities for participation of STEM faculty in student research experiences and promote faculty development.
• We seek funding for development of stronger curriculum in mathematics and all STEM gatekeeper courses.

Our partnership with NASA has made West Virginia the only state in the nation home to two Aerospace Education Laboratories, part of NASA's Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) program. We also participate in the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) and the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) programs.

Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
The National Science Foundation sponsors the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program "to increase the quality and quantity of students successfully completing STEM baccalaureate degree programs and to increase the number of students interested in, academically qualified for, and matriculated into programs of graduate study. As a part of the Kentucky-West Virginia Alliance for Minority Participation, we utilize the funding provided by the NSF to make a significant contribution to the mission of attaining a diverse and competitive field of scientists, engineers and college graduates. 

Contact

Dr. Ami Smith
Director of CASTEM
(304) 766-5701
smitham@wvstateu.edu