Sigma Xi — the Scientific Research Honor Society — and STEM in the Park are teaming up to help promote science, technology, engineering, and math studies in North Carolina.

The goal is to ensure every STEM professional or teacher gets career support while also ensuring every child gets a fair opportunity to pursue a STEM career.

Sigma Xi is an international honor society of scientists and engineers with chapters at universities, industry research centers, and government laboratories. More than 200 members have gone on to win Nobel Prizes.

“Sigma Xi members are researchers, teachers, and university students, and many are eager to help K–12 students who are interested in STEM,” Jamie L. Vernon, executive director and CEO of Sigma Xi, said in a press release. “We are looking forward to working with STEM in the Park to create new outreach opportunities for our members and to help increase diversity in STEM.”

STEM in the Park, formerly called US2020 Research Triangle Park, is a Research Triangle Park Foundation program focused on helping underrepresented minorities, girls, and low-income students get involved with STEM education through mentoring and other educational initiatives.

Through the partnership with Sigma Xi, STEM in the Park will provide a meeting space and consult on programming for Sigma Xi’s American Scientist’s pizza lunches, which are monthly free presentations discussing new scientific research. American Scientist is Sigma Xi’s bimonthly science and technology magazine.

STEM in the Park will act as a consultant on Sigma Xi’s K-12 programming, which includes research competitions and networking opportunities with STEM professionals.

“STEM in the Park is excited to work with Sigma Xi and their members to provide an avenue for sharing STEM knowledge and experiences with underserved youth,” said Sarah Windsor, program manager of STEM in the Park. “This partnership will go far in utilizing Sigma Xi members, who are distinguished in their own fields, to mentor and participate in STEM outreach in the Triangle and beyond.”