This paper reviews the initiative undertaken by the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, to partner with secondary schools in hosting a series of one day workshops for students preparing to sit the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations. The initiative allowed grade 12 and 13 students to participate in activities in specific STEM disciplines. The purpose of the review is two-fold: firstly, the initiative is described, and its overall impact is assessed, by considering the perceptions of the participants; and secondly, the lessons learned from the review are considered as part of a proposed framework for guiding other tertiary-level institutions interested in carrying out similar initiatives. The review shows that the initiative is valued by the schools, with an average of 38% of the cohort sitting CAPE Physics and Chemistry exams, country-wide, participating annually. Students and teachers point to the effectiveness of the activities undertaken in the workshop. Importantly, the vast majority would recommend that others attend. Moreover, the University benefits from increased awareness of opportunities for further study in STEM disciplines, the advocacy engendered in its students and the expansion of the teaching skills of its graduate students and faculty.