Starting a Chapter

Bring Minorities in STEM to your school or local community.

Starting a chapter brings people who are underrepresented in STEM together to build a network at your school and community.

Chapter Launch Guide

Want to become a Minorities in STEM leader?

Starting a chapter gives you a chance to build your own leadership, outreach, development, and community in your area, with you directing the work that brings people together.

Start a Chapter Kit

Gather Interest

Invite students, teachers, advisors, or community mentors who want to make STEM more inclusive.

Name a Lead Team

Identify two to four organizers who can coordinate meetings, communications, and programming.

Define Local Needs

Survey students to learn which resources, events, or mentoring formats would help most.

Plan a First Program

Choose a launch event such as a welcome mixer, speaker panel, study session, or resource fair.

Register the Chapter

Submit your chapter interest form so the national team can share playbooks and onboarding support.

Measure Impact

Track participation, feedback, and next steps so your chapter can grow with students' needs.

Two sixth graders building a robot at the Woodward Chapter during summer 2024
Mesmerized by robotics, two 6th graders are working hard to build and finish their robot at the Woodward Chapter during the summer in 2024 Academy, partnered with Horizons Atlanta.

Why It Matters

Build a network at your school and community.

Starting a chapter is important because it allows us as a community to bring people who are underrepresented in the STEM field together.

As a chapter leader, you get to build leadership, outreach, development, and community in your area while helping younger students find a path into STEM.

How Can You Start? Chapter Registration

FAQ

Questions before you start.

Use these answers to decide whether your school or community is ready to launch a chapter and what support you can expect from Minorities in STEM.

Who can start a Minorities in STEM chapter?

Any student or community organizer who wants to make STEM more inclusive can start a chapter. Chapters can be based at middle schools, high schools, colleges, or local community programs.

How many people do we need to launch?

A small lead team of two to four committed organizers is ideal. You can start with a few interested members, then grow through your first event, club fair, classroom visit, or outreach project.

Do chapters need an advisor?

If your school requires a club sponsor, ask a teacher, counselor, professor, or staff member to advise your chapter. Community chapters can work with a trusted adult mentor or local partner.

What does a chapter actually do?

Chapters host events and projects that fit local needs: mentorship circles, STEM workshops, speaker panels, tutoring, research resource sessions, hackathons, or outreach for younger students.

What support does the national team provide?

We share starter materials, planning templates, event ideas, onboarding guidance, and opportunities to connect with other chapter leaders across the network.

Is there a cost to start?

No. Starting a chapter is free. Some local events may need supplies or venue support, but your first programs can be built around low-cost workshops, mentoring, panels, and resource sharing.

Register Your Chapter

Tell us where you are building.

Submit your chapter interest and we will follow up with starter materials, launch templates, and onboarding support.

  • Chapter starter checklist
  • Event planning templates
  • Mentorship and resource directory guidance