STEM Education Research Through a Social Justice Lens (SJL) is an undergraduate summer research program designed to stimulate students’ opportunities in STEM education research with the intellectual theme of advancing social justice through a critical, civic-minded lens. SJL’s research training and professional development activities encourage students to achieve the following: (1) identify current inequities within STEM education; (2) expand STEM learning participation for underrepresented populations; and (3) build equity through culturally responsive and sustainable STEM learning opportunities. Over 10 weeks of the hybrid summer program, students conduct mentored, independent research projects and prepare and deliver oral presentations. Beyond the summer, they receive support to attend and present at STEM professional conferences and/or author an article. Through these experiences, students gain valuable analytic skills in aligning social justice approaches with STEM education research levels, receive training on multiple research methodologies, and gain exposure to graduate programs and professional development. Additionally, we support students’ project mentors through provision of culturally aware mentoring training. Student outcomes from the first summer of this ongoing program are discussed, as well as program challenges that have arisen.