Title: Strengthening Opportunities for STEM Students in Omaha Accomplishments of a NSFSTEP Grant Promise of
1Strengthening Opportunities for STEM Students in
Omaha Accomplishments of a NSF-STEP Grant
Promise of a Math-Science Learning Center
- Brad Morrison Hesham Ali
- Michele OConnor Jack Heidel
- David Reyes Dana Richter-Egger
2What is STEP Anyway?
STEP Program Goal Introduction Our Objectives New
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- STEM Talent Expansion Program (STEP) Science
Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) - A congressionally mandated NSF program
- The first awards were made in the fall of 2003
- PURPOSE
- to increase the number of students pursuing and
obtaining STEM degrees - Includes both community colleges and four-year
institutions
3Our Goal
STEP Program Goal Introduction Our Objectives New
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- To recruit and retain STEM majors through a
broad, multifaceted effort to strengthen the
collaboration between UNO and MCC - HOW?
- Funding from a NSF STEP Grant
- 2 million over 5 years
- The intent is support expansion and adaptation of
currently successful activities within and
between the two institutions as well as the
implementation of new activities.
4Insight from Dr. Bement, NSF Director
STEP Program Goal Introduction Our Objectives New
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- Foster flexible, creative and collaborative
research - Bridges the gaps that students fall through
- Create seamless educational pathways for students
- Today's laboratory shapes tomorrows economy
5Why the Need for Collaboration?
STEP Program Goal Introduction Our Objectives New
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- New initiatives are necessary for healthy growth
- Institutions operate in competitive environments
and have need for allies - Greater chance of acquiring funding with
collaborative efforts - Different perspectives from collaboration are
more likely to lead to innovations - Efficiency and efficacy
6Benefits Of Effective Collaboration
STEP Program Goal Introduction Our Objectives New
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- Enhance opportunities for students and faculty
- Increased interaction ? greater creativity
- Better preparation for students to transition
from community college to university - Complimentary goals with minor conflicts
- Maximize strengths and increases resources at
both institutions - Encourage faculty collaboration with colleagues
outside of their institution - Break down misperceptions that may exist between
the two institutions as a result of enhanced
communication
7Challenges Of Collaboration
STEP Program Goal Introduction Our Objectives New
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- Different cultures and perspectives
- for students
- and for administration and faculty
- Finding time and willing participants
- Breaking down the walls
- Outcome difficult to quantify sometimes
- Results not always seen immediately
8Taking A Strategic Approach
STEP Program Goal Introduction Our Objectives New
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- Many models of collaboration exist each with its
benefits and challenges - Perfect model may not be attainable in one step
may have to be implemented in stages - Not all activities require significant funding
- Can build upon existing structure and grow
gradually - Identify appropriate model for current
circumstances and strategic goals
9Five Objectives
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Expand, diversify and incorporate new STEM
degrees - Develop agreements for the articulation of
complete programs of study - Attract and retain students through the use of
scholarships - Particularly under-represented and
non-traditional students - Improve the quality of and access to experiential
education opportunities and student support
services - Increase outreach and recruitment activities
10New Degree Options
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- STEM Associate of Science Degrees at MCC
- Pre-Biology
- Pre-Biotechnology
- Pre-Chemistry
- Pre-Mathematics
- Pre-Physics
- Pre-Bioinformatics
- Computer Science
- Previously in place
New
11New Degree Options
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- New Interdisciplinary Majors at UNO
- Bioinformatics (new degree)
- Interdisciplinary
- Computer Science (College of Information and
Technology) - Biology (College of Arts and Sciences)
- One of only a few such programs in the U.S.
- Now has 37 majors
- Many students in the program are involved in
interdisciplinary research supported by STEP and
other funding.
12New Degree Options
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- New Interdisciplinary Majors at UNO
- Information Assurance (area of emphasis, MIS/CS)
- Plans for conversion to an actual degree
- Medicinal Chemistry (a new degree track)
- Approved Fall 2005
- Neuroscience (proposed new degree)
- Students with this interest can currently use the
interdisciplinary studies major
13Articulation
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Avenues for progression and transfer are
especially important in the STEM disciplines
because of the inherent hierarchical program
structure - Allows students to transition from community
college to university with sense of completion
and accomplishment
14Articulation of Complete Programs
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- A to B getting Associates Degree then Bachelors
- More challenging to implement
- Requires higher level of coordination
- More people involved to accomplish
- Now available in 7 STEM areas MCC ? UNO
- Pre-Biology Pre-Chemistry
- Pre-Biotechnology Pre-Mathematics
- Pre-Physics Pre-Bioinformatics
- Computer Science
15Scholarships
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- STEP Scholars - 1000/semester
- 2004-05
- 16 new scholarships awarded
- 15 renewed for the second year
- 2005-06
- 20 new scholarships awarded
- 18 renewed for the second year
- 2006-07
- 20 new scholarships awarded
- Three MCC students have applied
- 2008-08
16Scholarships
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Adult Learner Access Scholarships ALAS
- 400/semester
- 50 students supported in Spring 2007
17Scholarships
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Bridge Scholarships at MCC
- Covers the expenses for the last quarter of study
- 2004-05
- 4 students 1 minority
- 2005-06
- 16 students 3 minority, 3 female
- First MCC student received a UNO Bridge
Scholarship - 2006-07
- 22 students 8 minority, 10 female
18Early Undergraduate Research
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Faculty recruit qualified early undergraduates
into a motivational research activity and then to
supervise the students involved for one or more
semesters. - Focus on 1st and 2nd year students
- Encourages these students to consider a STEM
major - Funding provides for
- Faculty summer stipend
- Tuition waivers for students, up to 3
credits/student - Limited funds for materials/supplies
19Early Undergraduate Research
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Proposals selection criteria
- Evidence for successful recruitment and retention
of students into a STEM major - On what personal experience or successful
external models of EUR is the is the project
based? - Number of students projected to be involved
- Sustainability
- Anticipated duration
- Is it an ongoing project or one-time?
- Will continuation require additional funding?
- If the proposed research is interdisciplinary
- Projects that specifically target
underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.
20Early Undergraduate Research
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- 2004
- 6 projects, 37 students
- 2005
- 6 projects, 24 students
- 2006
- 7 projects funded, 40 students
- 2007
- 12 projects funded
- 93 of those 101 EUR students from years 1, 2 and
3 are currently pursuing STEM degrees
21Recruitment and Outreach
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- MCC STEP Coordinator
- Recruits at area high schools and community
events distributing STEP literature for both UNO
and MCC STEM programs. - Focused on providing prospective students and
their families a broad view of STEM educational
opportunities. - Centralizes creation of all promotional materials
- Assists with coordination of joint activities
between the two institutions - The go to person for both institutions
22Impact Beyond Intended Goals
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- New Graduate Teaching Assistant Positions
- UNO graduate students (4 in math currently) teach
at MCC which reimburses teaching salary to UNO - Other departments are being encouraged to also
participate
23Evaluation
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- How well are students acquiring important STEM
knowledge, skills and concepts as defined by
respective curriculum requirements at UNO and
MCC? - Are the STEP activities encouraging higher levels
of participation in STEM courses and programs at
UNO and MCC? - How are program and course offerings within and
between UNO and MCC meeting the needs of students
in providing effective transitions between the
colleges? - How are STEP project activities providing greater
accessibility to STEM related areas of study and
career opportunities?
24Social Climate Assessment
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- What are majors and non-majors perceptions,
beliefs, and experiences in STEM courses? - Do the STEP goals of inclusiveness and diversity
extend beyond the students who are directly
involved (scholarships or EUR support)? - Results suggest that the social climate in STEM
courses and departments is remarkably positive. - The results were surprising given literature
indications that a negative social climate may be
at least partly responsible for a lack of
interest in STEM majors.
25Sustainability
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- The Scholarship Program may be the most difficult
because of its large budget - All the scholarships offered total approximately
100,000 per year. - Private support for STEP scholarship endowments
is being actively pursued by the Principal
Investigator and the Arts Sciences Dean in
conjunction with the Nebraska University
Foundation.
26New External Funding Proposals
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Adult Learner Access Scholarships Expanded
- 600,000 NSF S-STEM (Scholarships in Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) - Proposal 0728466, submitted February 16, 2007
- Broad based scholarship program for adult
learners in all of the STEM majors - five departments in the College of Arts and
Sciences, - two departments in the College of IST
- four departments in the UNL College of
Engineering - Expands upon the current STEP grant scholarship
program - Will provide full-time adult students with
financial need, a 1000 scholarship each semester
until they graduate.
27New External Funding Proposals
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Taking Science for a Test Drive
- 500,000 NSF-CCLI (Course Curriculum Laboratory
Improvement) in preparation for resubmission - Significantly expands upon the STEP-EUR which it
is modeled after - Targets MCC students and UNO pre-service teachers
and general non-STEM majors - Sixty students per year, in groups of ten, will
participate in two-week research experiences
during summer - Will rigorously test the assertion that EUR is an
effective means of recruiting STEM majors and of
positively impacting the attitudes of non-STEM
majors, particularly pre-service teachers.
28New External Funding Proposals
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Small-Group Cooperative Learning in College Math
and Chemistry - 600,000 NSF-REESE (Research and Evaluation on
Education in Science and Engineering) - Proposal 0723895, submitted January 29, 2007
- Two longitudinal studies examine multiple factors
affecting small-group cooperative learning
processes and their short-term and long-term
outcomes - intermediate algebra
- general chemistry
29Sustainability
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Math/Science Learning Center
- Proposed objective of the STEP grant
- This center will be a significant way in which
the activities of the STEP grant will be
institutionalized. - Made possible by NU Foundation funding and
Excellence funding from the University. - Modeled after similar learning centers locally
and nationally. - Virtual tour
30Math-Science Learning Center
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Objectives
- Collaborate with math and science faculty
- Assess science education effectiveness
- Collaborate with other campus units with related
missions - Provide student learning support
- Entry level tutoring
- Course modules
- Specialized instruction
- Study skills training
- Peer mentoring
- Peer led team learning
31Math-Science Learning Center
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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32Math-Science Learning Center
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Geowall geology/geography
33Math-Science Learning Center
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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34Math-Science Learning Center
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Geowall chemistry/biology
35UNO STEM Graduates
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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36STEM Transfers from MCC to UNO
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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37What We Have Learned
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Be Broad Based and Inclusive
- The greatest strength of the UNO/MCC STEP grant
is its breadth. It includes six UNO departments
in two different colleges and two different
educational institutions. - Cast a Wide Net
- There are many dynamic connections between the
UNO academic areas that make up the STEM
disciplines (biology, chemistry, computer
science, geology, mathematics, and physics) how
they will develop and grow is impossible to
predict.
38What We Have Learned
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Reach Out to Actual Potential STEM Majors
- Science has a great intrinsic appeal. It takes
some students longer than others to come to this
realization they may need extra encouragement in
the meantime. - By All Indications -- Success
- Success is attributed to both the generality of
the approach and to the interest and enthusiasm
of the participants. - The sharing of Best Practices will assist
institutions regardless of their level of
experience in STEP.
39Dissemination
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- Innovative Models for Effective Collaboration
between Universities and Community Colleges,
Hesham Ali, Jack Heidel, Michele OConnor and
Dana Richter-Egger, 110th annual meeting of the
higher learning commission of the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), in a
Collection of Papers in Self-Study and
Institutional Improvement, Volume 1, pp. 73-75,
Chicago, April 8-12, 2005. - http//avalon.unomaha.edu/step/
40(No Transcript)
41Acknowledgements
Introduction Goal STEP Program Our Objectives New
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- The National Science Foundation
- DUE STEP Grant 336462
- The University of Nebraska at Omaha
- College and Departmental support
- Metropolitan Community College
- College and Division support
- The University of Nebraska System
- MSLC Excellence Funding
- The NU Foundation
- MSLC Funding