We implement programming through FACE, the four foundations of CORE:
Family Engagement
Family engagement is at the base of our commitment to our community. Via our school partnerships, we are able to form long lasting connections with our school principals, family liaisons, STEM educators, and families to ensure our programming meets our partners’ and families’ needs. We require students to bring a significant adult (e.g., parents, guardians, caregivers) with them to every event, and we encourage all family members (students, significant adults, and siblings) to attend CORE events. CORE is a deliberately engaging program for the entire family. During events, students participate in activities alongside their family members, allowing them to learn and grow together.
Academic Support and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Academic, social, and emotional support is woven through our programming in two main ways. First, undergraduate and graduate students in our CORE Crew, members who volunteer at our events, guide students through STEM activities and serve as positive role models to our CORE students through our monthly program events. Second, we foster social-emotional learning through intentional programming to build students’ critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and leadership skills, which we call our CORE Values.
College and Career Readiness
College and career readiness information is provided for our students and families, especially our High School Scholars. CORE Crew members and STEM Partners share their experiences in STEM through “Lunch and Learn” panels at our events. These are powerful opportunities for students to learn about real personal and professional pathways from high-school to their current roles. Additionally, for our High Scholars, we provide More CORE sessions covering topics such as financial aid, admissions, ACT prep, and more.
Exposure to and Engagement in University STEM Ecosystem
CORE provides STEM programming through a partnership model. We have made connections throughout the UMN STEM ecosystem, and our STEM partners provide hands-on STEM engagements at our events.This allows us to provide an unparalleled scope of STEM programming for CORE students. CORE has developed a STEM K-12 Opportunity Repository to connect with new partners, departments, and institutes within the university.