Q-STEM Academy can transform your experience at LaGuardia by offering holistic support to benefit you in and out the classroom. Take advantage of as many opportunities as you’d like! Accumulate credits with interdisciplinary learning through Learning Communities structured around central themes. Begin your academic journey with dedicated STEM Orientation, customized to ease your transition into college and the STEM field. Be part of a supportive community by joining a network of peers and faculty across all activities. Participate in the Preparatory and Research Opportunities, get paid, and acquire skills in research methodology and real-world project experience. Have a dedicated space for transfer and advising support with the Virtual Community Access, interact and connect with peers from LaGuardia and Queens College. Get Academic Support or Apply to become an Academic Peer Instruction tutor! Experience Seamless Transfer Pathway from an associate’s degree at LaGuardia to a bachelor’s degree at Queens College. Get access to Wellness Coaching with guidance to navigate college life.

There are four majors supported by the Q-STEM Academy, and more being added. Biology Computer Science ( S. or B.A. in Computer Science transfer agreement ) Environmental Science ( A. or B.S. in Environmental Science transfer agreement ) Physical Science: Chemistry Track ( S. in Chemistry transfer agreement ) Liberal Arts: Math and Science (coming soon!)

Queens STEM (Q-STEM)

Contact Us

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

Queens STEM Academy (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.

All LaGuardia students who are majoring in biology, computer science, chemistry, and environmental science are automatically Q-STEM participants. Q-STEM offers a guided path to a bachelor’s degree through articulation agreements with Queens College for the included majors. These articulation agreements allow students to start at LaGuardia and complete their bachelor’s degree at Queens College with no loss of credit. Additional articulation agreements are in active development.

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 boot camps, take advantage of paid research and internship opportunities, receive comprehensive transfer support and advising, participate in wellness programming to sustain students as they continue their academic journey, and receive support from faculty, advisors and peer mentors at both LaGuardia and Queens College through discipline-specific Virtual Communities.

Benefits

Q-STEM Academy can transform your experience at LaGuardia by offering holistic support to benefit you in and out the classroom. Take advantage of as many opportunities as you’d like!

Accumulate credits with interdisciplinary learning through Learning Communities structured around central themes.
Begin your academic journey with dedicated STEM Orientation, customized to ease your transition into college and the STEM field.
Be part of a supportive community by joining a network of peers and faculty across all activities.
Participate in the Preparatory and Research Opportunities, get paid, and acquire skills in research methodology and real-world project experience.
Have a dedicated space for transfer and advising support with the Virtual Community Access, interact and connect with peers from LaGuardia and Queens College.
Get Academic Support or Apply to become an Academic Peer Instruction tutor!
Experience Seamless Transfer Pathway from an associate’s degree at LaGuardia to a bachelor’s degree at Queens College.
Get access to Wellness Coaching with guidance to navigate college life.

Supported Majors

There are four majors supported by the Q-STEM Academy, and more being added.

Biology
Computer Science (S. or B.A. in Computer Science transfer agreement)
Environmental Science (A. or B.S. in Environmental Science transfer agreement)
Physical Science: Chemistry Track (S. in Chemistry transfer agreement)
Liberal Arts: Math and Science (coming soon!)

Partnership with Queens College

Queens College is LaGuardia’s collaborative partner on the Q-STEM grant. Many LaGuardia students transfer to Queens College, which is a large producer of STEM graduates. Queens College has stellar faculty and research facilities, and more than $20 million in grants and funding for a wide variety of STEM disciplines. Degrees range from environmental studies and climate dynamics to addressing equity in computer science. Learn more about Q-STEM Academy at Queens College.

Q-STEM Academy students who transfer to Queens College will receive the following additional support:

Academic support and tutoring through the Queens College Learning Commons and Writing Center
Tailored academic advising
Career and internship support and also support in finding research opportunities at Queens College
LaGuardia students will have support transferring to Queens College’s Accelerate Complete Engage program, which is modeled after ASAP
Dedicated Transfer Honors support including scholarships set aside for LaGuardia students who are accepted into the Queens College Honors program.

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

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

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."

Meet the Team

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

Queens College Partners