Each summer, Experimenta con PREM—“Let’s Experiment with PREM”—brings Puerto Rico public high school students into real materials research labs for an intensive, two-week experience designed to spark STEM degrees and research pathways. 

Run through the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao and University of Puerto Rico at Cayey campuses, the program is part of the UPR-PENN Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM), supported by the National Science Foundation and linked with University of Pennsylvania. 

“Experimenta con PREM is valuable because it immerses 10th and 11th grade public school students in hands-on research experiences in materials science, combining laboratory experimentation and the development of skills such as data analysis and teamwork,” says Alondra N. Gabriel-Correa, Education Coordinator for the PREM award. “Its significance lies in fostering early interest in science and mathematics, strengthening students’ academic preparation, and expanding their awareness of science careers.”

The structure mirrors a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) summer program: students begin with a mini-symposium, then move into skill-building workshops and hands-on lab work. 

Teams of three to five students rotate through laboratories, collect and analyze data, and prepare reports with close mentoring. The program culminates in final presentations for an audience that includes faculty and families, plus lab tours that draw families into the STEM journey. 

When COVID-19 disrupted in-person work, Experimenta con PREM continued by delivering lab kits to students’ homes and connecting by Zoom—an approach that sometimes pulled families into the experiments, too.

Since 2005, nearly 400 students have participated. What’s more, long- term tracking shows strong persistence: 84 percent of alumni continued STEM studies, and 79 percent earned STEM bachelor’s degrees.