An integrated introduction increases …...11/16/18 1 An integrated introduction increases interdisciplinarity and research preparation in STEM majors Barbara Kramer (Chemistry) Tim

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An integrated introduction increases interdisciplinarity and research preparation

in STEM majors

Barbara Kramer (Chemistry)Tim Walston (Biology)

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under NSF PRISM #0928013, NSF S-STEM #1060658 and NSF S-STEM #1742289. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Public Liberal Arts and Sciences~5000 undergraduates

Average ACT ~27~1200 STEM Majors

Agriculture Science, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry & Molecular

Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics

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Truman Demographics

Cohort Number FemaleFirst Gen URM

Public Rural

HSTruman 4898 59 % 23 % 9 % 23 %

SAM 1199 48 % 21 % 7 % 22 %STEM 101/5 74 68 % 51 % 12 % 36 %

What are some overlooked underrepresented demographics in STEM?

Some examples discussed:

Women, URM, urban students, rural students, low SES, ASD, homeschool, underprepared, veterans, non-traditional, older students, people with kids, online students, ESL students, immigrants, transfers, first-generation, part-time students, full-time workers, LGBTQ+, mental illness, physical disabilities, learning disabilities

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Who should be your target underrepresented students?Define your “typical” student

Is your “typical student” nationally underrepresented?

What non-typical underrepresented students do you have?

What underrepresented groups do you want to attract?

What groups on your campus tend to struggle?

What support do they need?Academic?

Professional?

Personal?

Financial?

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What are some unique ways you provide this support?

2004 2006 20182008 20162010 20142012

STEP Office NSF-Supported Programs

NSF S-STEMSTEP Scholars

NSF - STEP

NSF - PRISM

NSF - UBM2020 2022

(I) (II)

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STEM 101 and 105 were developed to increase interdisciplinary thinking and research preparedness

STEM 101: Integrative Freshman SeminarObjective Increase interdisciplinary STEM thinkingPopulation Freshman STEM Majors; Fall semesterMain project Small group website on course theme topic

STEM 105: Integrative Inquiry SeminarObjective Increase research preparednessPopulation STEM Majors/ResearchersMain project Independent written and oral scientific research proposal

STEM 101 helps students adapt to college and learn about the nature of science

Nature of Scientific Inquiry

Successful Student

Skills

1. Science vs. Pseudoscience2. How Science Works3. STEM and the Public

1. Study Skills2. Time Management3. Practical Skills

4. Critical Thinking5. Degree Completion

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STEM 101 helps students adapt to college and learn about the nature of science

1. Definition of the Sciences and Mathematics2. STEM Majors and Minors3. Gatekeeper STEM courses

1. Research Opportunities2. STEM Careers

Inter-dependence

of STEM

Professional Development

STEM 101 assignments teach “college skills” and how to understand scientific inquiry

AssignmentsPseudoscience in pop cultureTheme topic discussion board”xxx” is the science of…Learning web design (Google Sites)Learning about copyrights and fair useLearning Assessment and Study Strategies InventoryTime management logAttending scientific seminarsAcademic plan analysis

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Assignments cover the Nature of Scientific Inquiry to help students learn what science is and what it isn’t

AssignmentsPseudoscience in pop culture (web research)Theme topic discussion board”xxx” is the science of…Learning web design (Google Sites)Learning about copyrights and fair useLearning Assessment and Study Strategies InventoryTime management logAttending scientific seminarsAcademic plan analysis

Assignments cover Successful Student Skills to help students make the transition to college

AssignmentsPseudoscience in pop culture (web research)Theme topic discussion board”xxx” is the science of…Learning web design (Google Sites)Learning about copyrights and fair useLearning Assessment and Study Strategies InventoryTime management logAttending scientific seminarsAcademic plan analysis

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Assignments cover Professional Development to help students see their future as scientists

AssignmentsPseudoscience in pop culture (web research)Theme topic discussion board”xxx” is the science of…Learning web design (Google Sites)Learning about copyrights and fair useLearning Assessment and Study Strategies InventoryTime management logAttending scientific seminarsAcademic plan analysis

Assignments cover the Interdependence of STEM to help students understand modern science

AssignmentsPseudoscience in pop culture (web research)Theme topic discussion board”xxx” is the science of…Learning web design (Google Sites)Learning about copyrights and fair useLearning Assessment and Study Strategies InventoryTime management logAttending scientific seminarsAcademic plan analysis

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How do you define the STEM fields?

• _________ is the science of _________• _________ is the application of

_________ to ___________

• Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics

• What disciplines do you associate with?

Assignments cover the Interdependence of STEM to help students understand modern science

AssignmentsPseudoscience in pop culture (web research)Theme topic discussion board”xxx” is the science of…Learning web design (Google Sites)Learning about copyrights and fair useLearning Assessment and Study Strategies InventoryTime management logAttending scientific seminarsAcademic plan analysis

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STEM 101 students show increased interdisciplinary activities and thought when compared to non-participants

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Source: Research on the Integrated Science Curriculum (RISC) survey

In a semester-long project, students work together to apply scientific principles to solve a problem

Scaffolded AssignmentsTopic proposalTopic choicePresentation of topic (with Q & A)Annotated bibliographyWebsite draftWebsite peer reviewFinal website submission

Previous Semester Website or Video ThemesFood Energy

Science vs. Pseudoscience

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Student websites have addressed many popular pseudoscientific “cures” and misconceptions

STEM 105 introduces scientific research and communication leading students to the preparation of a research proposal

Defining Research

Framing Research

Ethics of Research

Communicating Research

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Students learn to define scientific research and how to choose a research topic

Defining Research

Topic What is research?What to include in a research proposal?

Work

Proposing research topicsChoosing final topicAttending scientific seminarsAttending Student Research Conference

Students learn how their research fits within the larger scientific community

Framing Research

Topic Searching the scientific literatureReading primary literature

Work Annotated bibliography

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Students learn the importance of scientific ethics in an academic and professional environment

Ethics of Research

TopicAppropriate scientific and academic conductRole of Institutional Review Board (IRB)Role of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

Work Evaluating case studiesDeveloping an institutional Ethical Code of Conduct in research

Students learn about the different types of scientific communication and hone their communication skills

Communicating Research

Topic

Sources of scientific informationPrinciples of scientific writingPresenting and working with dataCommunicating through posters and poster evaluationOral scientific communication

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Students learn about the different types of scientific communication and hone their communication skills

Communicating Research

Work

Working with collaborators (Co-PI and advisors)Kitchen table talk

5 minute summary at non-scientist levelElevator talk

1-2 minute summary at specialist level“24/7 talk”

24 second description and 7 word summaryExperimental designProposal preparation

Draft preparationPeer review

Final written proposalFinal oral defense

Student proposals are on a variety of STEM topics

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Participants tend to pursue research opportunities early in their career

From 2014-2018, 35 former students have presented at SRC

Who in your institution would be a good colleague for designing these courses?

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What topics would be most useful for your underrepresented students? • Study skills, professional development,

scientific writing/communication, etc.

http://step.truman.edu [email protected] 660.785.7252

Truman State University STEM Talent Expansion Programs (STEP) Office

Acknowledgements:

Co-instructors of STEM 101 and 105Cassidy Dobson, ChemistryDavid Garth, MathematicsStephanie Maiden, BiologyJason Miller, Mathematics, California State University – Channel Islands