VAST is the research-based component of USC Viterbi’s PreK-12 STEM Outreach

The USC Viterbi School of Engineering brings innovative STEM projects, programs, and professional development to PreK-12 schools and teachers in Southern California through VAST — Viterbi Adopt-a-School, Adopt-a-Teacher — the research-based component of USC Viterbi’s STEM outreach. VAST uses research results to improve the college and career pathways of under-represented minorities in high needs, at-risk schools. We mentor PreK-12 teachers and students on campus by embedding them in USC Viterbi faculty research labs; design and implement research-based interventions that contribute to academic and policy leadership in STEM ed, supporting the Grand Challenges of the National Academy of Engineering; and create custom multi-year partnerships with schools to share the broader impacts of USC faculty research and develop PreK-12 STEM ed experiences for USC Viterbi Ph.D. students. Our goal is to facilitate USC Viterbi faculty and Ph.D. students in disseminating their research and to inspire the younger generations, their families and teachers through the creativity and social benefits of research in science, technology, engineering, and math.