MePLUS
MePLUS is a 10 month-long free program that offers science workshops, mentorship, and personal and professional opportunities to youth from equity-deserving groups, including Black, Indigenous, and LatinX high school students in Hamilton catchment and surrounding areas.
The MePLUS program will run one Saturday each month from September 2024 – June 2025 (except for December 2023). The first session will be Saturday, September 7th from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Please note that lunch will be provided for students. It is expected that students who participate in MePLUS will attend a minimum of 7 out of the 10 sessions offered.
The MePLUS Program will feature:
Science Workshops
Engaging workshops will be organized to introduce students to different scientific concepts and experiments within the varying sciences fields.
Mentorship
Students will be paired with science graduate student mentors who will provide guidance and support throughout the MePLUS program.
Leadership and Professional Development
Students will have the chance to develop professional and academic skills through participation in various workshops and mentoring encounters, including financial literacy, and networking.
Collaborations
Our office has been extremely active and successful in making connections with EDI-focused outreach groups and initiatives. We have also been hearing from and talking with STEM outreach groups and working to partner on activities for students from equity deserving backgrounds.
Past Events
MePLUS Open House
On Tuesday, December 19th, the AD EDII Office welcomed our on-campus partners and collaborators to connect with our amazing MePLUS facilitators and mentors. This drop-in event was an opportunity for our team to share more information about the MePLUS program, answer any questions folks may have, and to build upon connections with valued members of our McMaster community.
Plant N' Learn
In partnership with the Department of Biology, the AD EDII Office hosted a Black Student Plant and Learn event on Wednesday, December 6th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm in the Biology Greenhouse. Black students from all Faculties were invited to learn about upcoming NSERC USRAs while enjoying some planting and painting!
Access Program
Outreach activities from our office focus on students identifying as members of equity deserving groups – this is in partnership with and commensurate with the objectives and mandate of the Faculty, Institutional priorities as well as McMaster Access Strategy. Consistent with this, our Access and Outreach Coordinator, Equity Deserving Groups, Aaron Parry works in partnership with our office and members of the Access Program team.
To learn more about the Access Program, please visit their website.