STEM Outreach: A Literature Review and Definition

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) professionals are in demand to meet the current challenges within our society. STEM outreach plays a critical role in promoting, understanding and increasing interest in the STEM disciplines. Outreach activities provide a unique platform to reach students through many delivery methods and audience tailoring that bring impacts otherwise unattainable through standard curricula. This work presents a literature framework and review of works that pertain to the STEM outreach system. From this review, a practical definition of STEM outreach is presented. The overall purpose of this work is to expand and aid in the further research to optimize the benefits of outreach activities in the STEM fields to help prepare students for future STEM careers.