A new initiative at McMaster University is addressing the underrepresentation of Black students in Canadian engineering programs by empowering them to see themselves in engineering careers. The Black Outreach STEM Series (BOSS), launched in April 2023, aims to dismantle barriers that have historically limited access to these fields for Black youth.

Despite advancements in diversity within engineering, significant challenges persist. Black students continue to be disproportionately absent in many engineering programs across Canada, influenced by systemic inequities, financial obstacles, and insufficient representation in mainstream media. To counter these issues, the BOSS program provides culturally relevant programming that fosters a sense of belonging and engagement within the engineering community.

Jodi-Anne Buckley, McMaster’s Black Recruitment Officer and Career Advisor/EDI Strategist, emphasizes the importance of making STEM appealing and accessible: “We make STEM accessible and fun by showing high school students how it’s connected to their everyday lives.” By relating engineering principles to everyday experiences, the program strives to inspire the next generation of engineers.

To develop the BOSS initiative, McMaster’s Engineering Student Recruitment and Community Outreach team undertook comprehensive research. This included consultations with Black students, faculty, and organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) to gain a deeper understanding of the barriers faced by Black youth. Sarah Alizerig, Manager of Community Outreach and Engagement, notes, “We started to brainstorm and understood that maybe there’s a lack of cultural relevancy.” This realization was pivotal in designing workshops that weave together elements of Black culture and STEM, rendering these subjects both relatable and engaging for students from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

BOSS incorporates hands-on learning experiences, integrating topics like natural hair care and music production into its curriculum. These workshops are facilitated by Black students from McMaster, reinforcing the message that engineering can be both relevant and transformative. Since its inception, BOSS has successfully engaged over 5,400 Black youth and has been honored with a national Actua Experience Award for its innovative approach.

“The goal is for Black students to see that engineering is relevant to their lives as Black Canadians and to understand how they can make meaningful change in their community and the world at large through engineering,” Buckley explains.

At McMaster University’s Faculty of Engineering, the commitment to inclusivity is evident. The Faculty is actively working to create equitable access to STEM education through outreach initiatives that cater to students from preschool through high school. By prioritizing these efforts, McMaster is not only promoting diversity within its programs but also fostering a more inclusive engineering landscape for future generations.