participants’ AEC career knowledge,bolstered their self-efficacy, and shaped their outcome expectations. The findings highlight theefficacy of targeted AEC activities within the fAEC-KLM in boosting career knowledge, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations, offering critical insights for developing OST programs thatencourage African American middle school girls to pursue careers in AEC fields. These resultsemphasize the need for such initiatives to reduce the gender gap in STEM and AEC professions,contributing to broader efforts to diversify these vital sectors.Keywords: AEC careers, middle school learning, African American representationIntroduction The underrepresentation of women, particularly African American women, inArchitecture