How does it work? 3M is a generous supporter of Prepare2Nspire, a near-peer math tutoring and mentoring program. Under the program, U of M undergraduates studying STEM subjects tutor 11th-graders who, in turn, tutor 8th-graders in an urban underserved neighborhood of Minneapolis. The program is based on the practice of “cascading mentoring,” which uses the knowledge of older students to aid their younger counterparts.
“The goal of Prepare2Nspire is to support students and encourage them to take more math and science classes, so they obtain higher test scores and build their confidence.”
—U professor Lesa Covington Clarkson, Ph.D., program director and associate
How 3M dollars help: Funding from donors, including 3M, helps provide stipends for tutors, a graphing calculator for every participant, food for tutoring sessions, bus passes to allow students to travel to the tutoring site.
Results: One measure of success is ACT scores: on average, 11th-grade participants improve their score on the math section of the ACT by 3 points, which is significant growth on a 36 total point assessment.
The program also inspires students to continue studying math, thereby preparing them for college-level work. This ultimately helps to build a STEM talent pipeline, which aligns with 3M’s strategic priorities.
Prepare2Nspire Facts:
Serves 40 11th-graders, 20 8th-graders
Weekly math tutoring and mentoring
Advanced algebra through calculus
On average, 11th-grade participants improve their score on the math section of the ACT by 3 points
Photo: Prepare2Nspire