Q-STEM

Contact Us

Phone: (718) 482-6071
QSTEM@lagcc.cuny.edu

Queens STEM (Q-STEM) is a collaborative educational pipeline program for STEM students in the borough of Queens through a partnership with LaGuardia Community College and Queens College. The work and activities in Q-STEM are supported by a United States Department of Education – Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) STEM grant.

Q-STEM offers students a more comprehensive path to the bachelor’s degree for STEM majors. The activities of the grant aim to provide wrap-around supports to increase STEM enrollment and degree completion at both LaGuardia and Queens College.

Through the Q-STEM Academy, STEM students can participate in learning communities, receive academic support from tutors and rigorous academic bootcamps, take advantage of paid research and internships opportunities, receive comprehensive transfer support and advising, participate in wellness programming to sustain students as they continue their academic journey and find receive support from faculty, advisors and peer mentors at both LaGuardia and Queens College through discipline specific Virtual Communities.

LaGuardia has established articulation agreements with Queens College in biology, computer science, environmental science and is actively working on other STEM articulation agreements. These articulation agreements will allow students to start at LaGuardia and to complete their bachelor’s degree at Queens College with no loss of credit

Testimonials

"Participating in the QSTEM Research Academy was a pivotal experience in my academic journey. Leading the Research 101 Data Mining team, I delved into the complexities of homelessness in New York City, harnessing data to uncover significant trends. The challenge of leading, assigning tasks, and navigating new analytical tools was immensely rewarding, fostering growth in leadership, data analysis, and teamwork. The support from Professor Alaa Darabseh and mentor Min Young Kim was instrumental in our success. This experience not only enhanced my research skills but also strengthened my resolve to pursue further education at Queens College. I'm thankful for the QSTEM program for this invaluable opportunity and the lasting connections made with my team."

"My journey through the QSTEM Winter Research Academy was an enlightening venture into the world of research and collaboration. As a novice in both Python and research, the project on String Art presented a formidable challenge. However, under the guidance of Prof. Shenglan Yuan and alongside my teammate Yiming Mei, we navigated through complex mathematical concepts and coding intricacies. The academy taught me the essence of teamwork, the importance of a supportive mentor, and the dedication research demands. I owe my newfound passion for research and the confidence to pursue it further to this experience and the encouragement from Prof. Reem Jaafar. The QSTEM program was not just an academic endeavor but a journey of personal and professional growth."

Reem Jaafar, PhD	Q-STEM Co-PI
Niki Jones	Director of STEM Initiatives

Queens College Partners

STEM Learning Communities

At LaGuardia, we are committed to providing an integrative educational experience. Our Learning Communities are at the heart of this commitment, offering you a chance to engage with your education in a more connected and collaborative way.

What Are Learning Communities?

Learning Communities at LaGuardia are structured groupings of multiple courses that revolve around a shared theme or academic goal. We offer two primary types:

Clusters: A combination of three or more classes that delve into different aspects of a common theme or interdisciplinary area.
Pairs: Two courses linked by overlapping content or complementary skills, designed to deepen understanding and application.

Students in Learning Communities have higher GPAs than students outside of Learning Communities. In addition, Learning Community students earn more credits than students that do not participate in Learning Communities, thereby progressing towards their degree faster.

Learn more about Learning Communities at LaGuardia.

Advantages of Learning Communities

Joining a Learning Community at LaGuardia enables you to:

Forge Connections: Integrate knowledge across different subjects and see how they intersect in the broader world.
Cultivate a Supportive Network: Build meaningful relationships with peers who are as engaged and motivated as you are.
Interact Intimately with Faculty: Enjoy a closer rapport with instructors and benefit from a more tailored educational experience.
Enhance Academic Performance: Students in Learning Communities often report higher levels of achievement due to the supportive and interconnected learning environment.
Stay on Course: Engaging with a Learning Community helps keep you motivated and on track for graduation.

Virtual Community

Q-STEM Virtual Communities is an opportunity for STEM students to have a home base after participating in the first semester, first year learning community. It offers a robust, interactive community learning space for students, allowing them to connect online and in-person with faculty and other students interested in the same discipline.

Our Virtual Communities are co-facilitated by LaGuardia faculty with some workshops facilitated by Queens College faculty and Transfer Peer Mentors (students/peer mentors who have already transferred to Queens). VIG’s online communication tools will enable participants to exchange ideas, ask questions, and obtain advice about their particular discipline, thus fostering a sense of community that drop-in transfer centers or typical one-shot transfer fairs and events have been unable to create.

Why Join a Q-STEM Virtual Community?

Discipline-Specific Networks: Choose from our dedicated virtual communities in Biology, Environmental Science, or Computer Science. Each space is curated to cater to its members’ unique interests and academic pursuits.
Mentorship: Gain insights and guidance from transfer peer mentors who are current Queens College scholars. They’ve walked your path and are here to share their experiences and wisdom.
Active Engagement: Participate in discussions and special activities that are pivotal to your professional development and your successful transfer.
Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with relevant events, research opportunities, and resources.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers.
Real-Time Support: Have a question? Need advice? Your virtual community and peer mentors are here to help you navigate your academic journey.

Academic Peer Instruction

Why study alone when you can study with peers? Join Academic Peer Instruction (API) to excel in STEM courses through group study sessions or become a peer tutor. Tutoring is free for all LaGuardia students, and tutors earn $17/hour. Visit us in E-115Q or our webpage to learn more.

API Offers

Collaborative Learning Environment: Engage in dynamic group study sessions modeled after the proven Supplemental Instruction (SI) approach. Collaborate with your peers, share insights, and tackle challenging concepts together.

Content and Knowledge Acquisition: Our peer leaders provide in-depth knowledge of course content and share effective learning strategies to help you optimize your study habits and maximize your academic performance.

Variety of Courses: Comprehensive STEM Support From mathematics to physics, chemistry to engineering, our API program offers support for a wide range of STEM subjects.

Proven Results: Our API program has a track record of success, with students consistently reporting improved grades, increased confidence, and a better understanding of course material.

We hope you join us in this collaborative learning opportunity! We look forward to meeting you.

Contact API

Online: laguardia.edu/api
In-Person: E-115Q
Email: api@lagcc.cuny.edu
Phone: 718-482-5215