Talent is everywhere. Opportunity should be, too by Nicole Cooper

Intro: I’ve had the chance to work with LIVE, developed by Po-Shen Loh, on expanding access to rigorous STEM learning for students in rural areas. Access to curriculum in rural and small-town communities is something I care deeply about, and in talking with their team, I quickly saw how much our missions overlap. So this is a joint blog post between LIVE and MIT Admissions, presented as a bit of a conversation so you can see some of the behind-the-scenes thinking happening at MIT and LIVE. 

LIVE: In many rural communities, students are just as capable, curious, and hardworking as anywhere else, but their opportunities are often limited by geography and resources. Access to advanced learning programs is uneven, meaning a student’s potential can be constrained by their zip code rather than their abilities. Yet these communities have something important: students who are motivated, independent, and deeply connected to the places they call home. When given the right opportunities, these students can thrive and lead in ways that benefit both themselves and their communities.

From our side: In our work in MIT Admissions, we meet students from rural communities every year who are doing extraordinary things with the resources available to them. What we see again and again is that talent is not limited by geography, but opportunity often is. That gap can show up in different ways: fewer advanced courses, limited access to enrichment programs, or simply not knowing what pathways are available. Expanding access is not about changing who is talented, it is about ensuring that more students have the chance to develop and demonstrate that talent.

LIVE: At the same time, traditional classrooms have to follow state standards in their math curriculum, which are important, but students also need chances to practice critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. In rural schools, where access to enrichment programs can be limited, these experiences can be harder to come by. This is exactly the moment LIVE was created for: a program that brings hands-on, interactive learning directly to students, helping them develop real thinking skills, build confidence, and explore their full potential.
LIVE is designed to go beyond the classroom and help students develop inventive problem-solving skills. Over time, students gain a stronger understanding of math, but more importantly they develop skills that carry into other subjects and real-world situations. Furthermore, classes are designed to be highly engaging and dynamic. They run as interactive livestreams, where instructors are drawing, and teaching in real time. Students can jump in on mic or in a live chat overlay to ask questions. This imitates how students naturally engage with social media content today. As a result, students look forward to every class as they develop skills to make an impact in the communities they care about.

NICOLE: Experiences like these matter not just because they build academic skills, but because they change how students see themselves. We often hear on the road in rural areas from students who are unsure whether spaces like MIT are “for them,” especially if they come from schools where advanced coursework or STEM enrichment opportunities are limited. Programs like LIVE can play an important role in bridging that gap, helping students build confidence in their ability to engage with challenging material and to see themselves as part of a broader community of learners.

LIVE: One of the most unique parts about LIVE is our instructors, our LIVE Math Stars. They are high school and college students who are not only strong in math, but also professionally trained in communication, presentation, and even improv comedy. The goal is to develop people who are not only brilliant, but also confident, expressive, and genuinely kind to others. They learn how to connect with students, lead conversations, and create an engaging environment that feels welcoming and supportive. This challenges the stereotype that STEM students lack social skills and instead helps develop well-rounded, confident, kind leaders. Every instructor goes through a selective process to ensure they are kind and want to make a positive impact in the world. This is what sets us apart.

NICOLE: There is often a misconception that students from rural communities are somehow less prepared for rigorous academic environments. In reality, what we see in the admissions process is that many of these students have developed resilience, independence, and problem-solving skills in ways that are deeply aligned with what institutions like MIT value. Expanding access to opportunities like LIVE does not take anything away from other students, it simply allows more talented students to fully realize their potential.
This work is grounded in the philosophy of “thought+full,” developed by Professor Po-Shen Loh. It’s the idea that real success comes from combining deep care for people with thoughtful problem-solving skills. That philosophy shapes what they teach and how tjeu teach it. This philosophy resonates with how we think about education at MIT. We are not only looking for students who can solve problems, but students who care about the impact of those solutions and the communities they serve. That combination of curiosity, care, and collaboration is what drives innovation forward.

LIVE: For schools serving overlooked communities, we offer a meaningful partnership through the LIVE Math Scholarship Program. We prioritize partnering with schools in small towns or rural areas, as defined by the National Center for Education Statistics, as well as those where a majority of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch. The 6th grade students from our partner schools can be nominated by school leaders to apply to our LIVE Math Scholarship Program. Accepted students will be awarded full-tuition scholarships to our classes.At the same time, our paid classes are open to any student, helping us grow a diverse and connected learning community. As students progress, there are also opportunities to step into leadership. High school students can apply to become LIVE Math Stars, to teach and mentor middle school students, while building real experience in communication, teaching, and leadership.

NICOLE: For students reading this, especially those from rural or small-town communities, we want to be clear: you do not need to have access to every resource to be a strong applicant, and you do not need to wait until college to start exploring what you are capable of. Seeking out opportunities, whether through programs like LIVE or in your own community, is one way to begin building confidence in your abilities and expanding what feels possible.

LIVE: If this resonates with your school or your students, we’d love to connect. To become a LIVE Math Scholarship Partner, you can email [email protected]. High school students interested in applying to be an instructor through our LIVE Math Stars program can get started here: https://live.poshenloh.com/jobs/star. More information about our classes and approach can also be found at https://live.poshenloh.com/.

NICOLE: We are excited about what is possible when more students have access to opportunities that challenge and support them. Broadening access does not narrow opportunity, it expands it and strengthens the entire community.

LIVE: We’re excited about the possibility of working together and creating meaningful opportunities for students.