http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/09/14/03stem_ep.h31.html

In order to compete globally in the 21st century STEM schools are opening across the United States and i attempting to target minority students, who typically are under served in the area of Technology, math, science, and engineering classes.  Usually these programs target and identify the top math and science students in a school or on standardized tests.  The STEM schools that are opening now are attempting to reach the minority population regardless of current grades or GPA's.  this is being done to prompt the interest of minority students by exposing them to experiments and high tech schools that offer many class and programs that the average schools lack.
One key question that this article still asks, is will these STEM schools motivate these students to study and pursue STEM classes in college and as a career?

I think that when attempting minority interest in STEM classes, hands-on science experiments is a must.  Students must be able to feel science and explain how something works and interacts with nature and/or robotics.  Often times students feel intimidating with "big" words and long definitions.  Providing hands-on experiments offer a chance to actually see how something works together.

Allowing the students to create simple machines and robotics opportunities will also increase interest in the STEM field.  Many student may feel that creating a robot and wires is too confusing but when they are given a chance to explore and create a simple robot, they will see that is is not that complex and that everything is connected and works together.