60+ Free STEM Resources and Opportunities for BIPOC, AAPIs, and Allies

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Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals are on the forefront of innovation, driving advancements in our everyday lives. However, many groups continue to be underrepresented across the STEM landscape. In April 2021, a Pew Research Center study of federal labor and education trends over the last decade uncovered the significance of the racial and gender gaps in STEM representation.

Here is a look at some of the current statistics:

  • Black people make up 11% of the workforce, but only 9% of STEM employees.
  • Latinx people comprise 16% of the workforce, but a mere 7% of STEM workers.
  • Native Americans and Alaskan Natives make up just 0.2% of the STEM workforce.
  • Asian women earned only 5.3% of bachelor’s degrees across all STEM fields.

The racial and gender earnings gaps among STEM workers are also substantial and have recently increased. According to the Pew Research Center study, the earnings among Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and female STEM workers are significantly lower than the median earnings of white male workers in the field.

STEM Resources for:

Black Students and Professionals | Latinx Students and Professionals | Indigenous Students and Professionals | AAPI Students and Professionals

Organizations Supporting:

Black People in STEM | Latinx People in STEM | Indigenous People in STEM | AAPI in STEM

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Resources to Be a More Effective Ally

Factors That Affect Diversity in STEM

In order to encourage underrepresented communities to pursue STEM career paths, it is important to look at the reasons behind this underrepresentation. There are many contributing factors, but research suggests that bias and discrimination in STEM could be driving minority students away from the field.

Researchers from the University of Memphis found that students tend to avoid or switch majors based on social factors. This indicates that students gravitate toward majors where they see representation from groups they identify with. Trey Moore, a contributor for Forbes notes, “From my experience talking to youth about STEM careers, a lot of them don’t see it as a viable career option based solely on the fact that they don’t personally know any minority scientists.”

Another factor may be stereotypes and media portrayals. According to a report by The Lyda Hill Foundation, in partnership with The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, the vast majority of STEM characters in entertainment media were white (71.2%), while fewer were Black (16.7%), Asian/Asian-American (5.6%), Latinx (3.9%), and Middle Eastern (1.7%). Men also outnumbered women nearly 2-to-1.

The Importance of Diversity in STEM

According to McKinsey & Company, businesses with diverse workplaces financially outperform those lacking diversity. Organizations with a more diverse executive management team are more likely to achieve above-average profits. Diversity also gives organizations a competitive advantage in attracting top talent, allowing them to attract a wider pool of candidates.

Furthermore, as companies seek better ways to reach their customers in the global market, it becomes increasingly important to have their workforce reflect their users. According to Forbes, a homogenized company will further marginalize groups of people, whereas those with a diverse staff might be better positioned to market themselves to underrepresented community groups that make up a considerable percentage of their potential customer base.

Free STEM Resources and Opportunities for BIPOC and AAPI in STEM

Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian tech professionals are crucial to an inclusive and productive workforce. While there are structural barriers to entry in these fields that must be addressed at the systemic level, there are still opportunities for individuals to break in to the tech industry. Since the experiences and realities across different racial, ethnic, and gender groups are complex and unique, here is a list of free resources broken down by group to help foster professional growth and development for members of these underrepresented students and professionals.

STEM Resources for Black Students and Professionals

STEM Resources for Latinx Students and Professionals

STEM Resources for Indigenous Students and Professionals

STEM Resources for Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) Students and Professionals

Professional Organizations that Support Minority Groups in STEM:

Organizations Supporting Black People in STEM

  • National Society of Black Engineers (NBSE) — With more than 600 chapters and more than 24,000 active members, the NSBE is one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the U.S.
  • Black Girls Do STEM — Black Girls Do STEM Day Program is for middle-school-aged Black girls (grades 6–8) to explore various STEM careers across multiple industries.
  • Black Tech Pipeline — This organization is designed to connect Black technologists with great companies.
  • /dev/color — This nonprofit organization is designed to help Black software engineers grow into industry leaders.
  • Coding Black Females — This organization aims to provide opportunities for Black female developers to develop their skills, meet familiar faces, network, receive support, and forge relationships.
  • Black Boys Code — This organization is designed to help Black boys engage with culture and become tomorrow’s drivers, creators, and innovators of technology.

Organizations Supporting Latinx People in STEM

  • American Association of Latinos in STEM — This association consists of established technical professionals focused on encouraging and supporting Latino youth.
  • Code 2040 — This organization aims to dismantle the structural barriers that prevent the full participation and leadership of Latinx and Black people in the innovation economy.
  • Latina Girls Code — Founded in 2014, this organization aims to teach Latina girls technology in creative ways.
  • Latino STEM Association — This association has a mission of engaging the Latino community in STEM on a global scale.
  • Eva Longoria Foundation — Founded by activist and actor Eva Longoria in 2012, the foundation’s mission is to help Latinas succeed in school and business.
  • Latinxs Who Design — Explore this living directory of thriving Latinx individuals in the design industry.
  • LatinX in AI — Latinx in AI (LXAI) bridges communities, academics, industry, and politicians working to further AI innovation and resources for Latinx individuals globally.

Organizations Supporting Indigenous People in STEM

  • SACNAS — This organization weaves together science, culture, and community. Explore their website to get involved with current and upcoming programs!
  • IndigeSTEAM Society — This organization offers one-day events, a four-day summer STEM camp, and workshops in Indigenous communities.
  • Indigenous Science, Technology, and Society (Indigenous STS) — Indigenous STS is committed to building and supporting techno-scientific projects and ways of thinking that promote Indigenous self-determination.
  • Digital Mi’kmaq — Digital Mi’kmaq is an Indigenous-led initiative that aims to create lasting foundational change for a new generation through the interplay of science, culture, education, and digital skills.
  • Indigenous AI — The Indigenous Protocol and Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) Working Group develops new conceptual and practical approaches to building the next generation of A.I. systems.

Organizations Supporting Asian American/Pacific Islanders in STEM

Resources to Be a More Effective Ally

Free Diversity Training and Online Resources

Resources on Name Pronunciation

Free Tests for Identifying Hidden Bias