the integrated stem experience the science 120 learning community
TRANSCRIPT
The Integrated STEM ExperienceThe Science 120 Learning Community
The ChallengeIncrease graduation rates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Our Solution• NSF support through NSF STEM Talent Expansion Program
(STEP) • New Advising Plans• Support for bottleneck courses• Freshman Year Communities (Cohorts)
Symposium
Presentations
The Process
Faculty directed activity• Field work• Assess quality of
campus lake and creek water
• Rigorous techniques
Student designed research questions• Water temperature, chemistry,
and suitability for vertebrates• Comparing water quality of
upland creeks• Gravel size and diversity of
stream invertebrates• Water quality tests• Comparative studies on native
species
Transition Students •Welcome students•Expand comfort zones•Build confidence•Develop class identity
Integrate with Community •Sonoma County Water Agency•Southern Sonoma Resource Conservation District•Goldridge Resource Conservation District•SSU Field Stations & Nature Preserves
Skill building •Critical thinking•Laboratory skills•Field skills
www.sonoma.edy/scitech/symposium
AssessmentWestEd is using a in-depth sophisticated analysis to measure the impact of the STEM-FYE strategy coupled with annual cohort surveying .
Surveys were revealing
Not at all Slightly Moderately A lota. Were the Peer Mentors effective for delivering the “Transitional Elements” sessions? (12%) (15%) (34%) ( 39%)
b. How important were the peer mentors for your success this semester? (15%) ( 22%) (27%) (37%)
c. How important were the peer mentors for your transition to being a college student, this year? (15%) (24%) (17%) (44%)
13. Think about the Peer Mentors this semester.
Outcome
85% retention of STEM majors in Science 120 vs. 70% for all
STEM freshman
Peer mentors provide
transitional support
Students learn basic scientific methodology
Students explore all
STEM disciplines
Students bond with students,
STEM faculty, and community
partners
Students are on track to a
timely graduation
Faculty join together across
disciplines to provide
innovative STEM curriculum
Summary
Innovative curriculum, high impact pedagogy, dynamic faculty, institutional support, and various assessment methods were all utilized to create a successful program.
Internal Advisory Committee• Chair - John Kornfeld, Director, Ugrad Studies• Andrew Rogerson, Provost• Nathan Rank, Chair, Biology (Co-PI)• Jennifer Lillig, Chair, Chemistry• Ali Kooshesh, Chair, Computer Science• Meng-Chih Su, Engineering Science• Matt James, Chair, Geology• Brigitte Lahme, Chair, Math & Statistics• Lynn Cominsky, Chair, Phys & Astro (Co-PI)• Merith Weisman, Director, CCE• Tim Wandling, English• Karina Nielsen, Biology• Caroline Christian, ENSP
External Advisory Committee• Catherine Halversen, Lawrence Hall of Science• Bryant Hichwa, SSU Emeritus, Phys& Astro• Becca Lawton, Geologist• Georgia McDaniel, Environmental Planner
S3 Team Lynn Stauffer, Science & Technology (PI) Lynn Cominsky, Chair, Physics & Astro and Director,
NASA E/PO (Co-PI) Jeremy Qualls, Physics & Astronomy (Co-PI) Nathan Rank, Chair, Biology (Co-PI) Claudia Luke, SSU Preserves(Co-PI) Karina Nielsen, Biology Martha Shott, Math & Statistics Carolyn Peruta, S3 Student Services Ben Ford, Mathematics & Statistics Brigitte Lahme, Mathematics & Statistics John Sullins, Philosophy Suzanne Rivoire, Computer Science Farid Farahmand, Engineering Science Mike Smith, Geology Carmen Works, Chemistry Julie Greathouse, Student Academic Services Merith Weisman, Director, CCE Ted Britton, WestEd, External Evaluator
Thanks to Team