FAST pairs Stanford graduate student mentors with high minority enrollment high schools. Students answer open questions in science and engineer solutions to problems in their society.

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors of Andrew P Hill High School and James Lick High School meet with Stanford PhD students to brainstorm projects, carry out experiments, and build prototypes. High school students present their work at local science fairs, state science fairs, and at a Symposium at Stanford University.

In the 2021-2022 school year, the Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation’s support allowed FAST to return to fully in-person work for the first time since the start of the COVID pandemic. The Foundation also doubled FAST’s funding for student projects.

Students explore ways to tackle global challenges, including:

Computational design of rocket engines for space transportation needs
Policing practices and reforms
Optimization of residential and commercial heating systems

AFTER 12 SESSIONS…

• 50% of FAST students report a stronger inclination toward growth-mindset
• 40% report stronger interest in scientific careers
• 80% report increased confidence in data analysis

FAST pairs Stanford graduate student mentors with high minority enrollment high schools. Students answer open questions in science and engineer solutions to problems in their society.

• 50% of FAST students report a stronger inclination toward growth-mindset

• 40% report stronger interest in scientific careers

• 80% report increased confidence in data analysis