Architecture has a major diversity problem. Out of all the licensed professionals in the U.S., less than five percent identify as black or Latino. A new collaboration between the University of Michigan and Detroit Public Schools is trying to change that. We learn more about the Architecture Prep Program from Current State’s April Van Buren.
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) has been the buzzword in education for several years now. Everyone from President Obama to Governor Snyder say that these kinds of skills are essential for success in the 21st century economy. But while there’s a big push to get more students into STEM careers, the field as a whole remains overwhelmingly white and male.
According to the National Science Foundation, only around 11 percent of working scientists and engineers are African American or Hispanic.
A collaboration between the University of Michigan and Detroit Public Schools is trying to make a dent in those numbers.
Current State’s April Van Buren took a trip to Detroit to talk to some of the students and teachers in the Architecture Prep Program.