South SFV Today

High school students from low-income communities had the opportunity to visit Stanford University as part of a unique educational program, sparking new interests and aspirations among the participants. The visit was part of Stanford’s Introduction to Bioengineering course, aimed at providing talented students with advanced material and encouraging them to apply to selective colleges.

Jared Garcia, a high school junior, expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge presented by the course, stating, "The class is a challenge, but I’ve always been up for a challenge." He also noted the diversity of the university, saying, "The school is very prestigious and looking around, it’s more diverse than I thought it would be, and so far, everyone’s been really nice and welcoming."

Shreya Garg, a bioengineering undergraduate and teaching fellow coordinator, highlighted the importance of empowering young people in the field of engineering, stating, "I hope students, through these activities, are able to see themselves as engineers the way I did. Coming here shows them that this is a place for them." Garg also emphasized the need to break down barriers in science, mentioning, "Science can often seem exclusive and intimidating."

Brian Johnson, a science teacher at June Jordan School, emphasized the value of the bioengineering course for his students, noting that it exposes them to a field they would not typically have access to. Johnson stated, "Bioengineering is not something that they would normally have access to – whether at the school or even at the local community college."

Reflecting on the experience, student Jake Lopez shared, "Even though it’s really early for us to think about college, coming here helps students think about options of where they could go for college." Similarly, Alex Palileo mentioned, “I’ve learned a lot about topics that I wouldn’t normally learn in the classroom, and about how things actually benefit people and how we can use these things within our lives.”

The program, organized by Stanford Digital Education and the National Education Equity Lab, aims to provide opportunities for students in underserved communities to engage with advanced material and consider attending selective colleges. The visit to Stanford University and the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve offered a hands-on learning experience that inspired students to explore new possibilities and consider future educational paths.