Describe UMassSTEP here.

SeminarScholars

TotalScienceExperience

Total Science Experience - Undergraduate research from grant proposal to publication.

Model - Total Science Experience at Univeristy of West Virginia http://www.as.wvu.edu/biology/bio21site/

Contacts: Bill Peterjohn - Instructor this semester 304 293-5201 ext. 31501 Keith Garbutt - From Wisconsin Summer Institute 304 2935201 ext 31531 Jim McGraw? - Course originator

Publications: J. McGraw? Bulltetin of Ecol Soc. Amer 79:1 p100 Jan. 1998

160 students per year 30 students per TA 2 sections of 15

TAs take a concurrent course for 2 credits on how to teach TSE

They have a lab manager who clearly helps run the thing

Lots done in the green house

2 factorial design

TAs get to pick a theme for their sections - commonly related to their research

Some TAs even pick one variable and students have to pick a second variable

Mixture of group and individual work for students

Build in backups for failures

Jim McGraw? teaches the statistics - anova largely - emphasis on interactions ("Effect of factor B depends on the level of factor B")

WVU -

Monday morning meeting notes

'notes from Susan'

The STEM Connect office will serve to develop initiatives and coordinate activities supporting undergraduate progression, or persistence, in science majors. According to the National Science Foundation the graduation of science and engineering majors in the United States lags signficantly behind many other countries. Retention literature is replete with support for activities that encourage increased opportunities for active learning (citations) and time-on-task (citations), and student faculty relationships (citations). Providing students an environment to collaborate with their peers and engage in activities related to their appropriately chosen majors has driven this proposal establishing the STEM Connect office. This office will not only provide a dedicated coordinated approach to these activities but will demonstrate the campus’ commitment to providing greater efficiency in organizing, encouraging and administering effective academic support.

The STEM Connect office will include: Total Science Experience Course STEP (sophomore) Research course? – 2 credits/semester = semester long course • Faculty recruitment • Academic credit for self-directed work • Enhancement of critical thinking and active learning opportunities • Coordinated effort for student/faculty relationships

SI in Barrier courses

NSF/Diversity campus relationship – SEMinar Scholars: (first/second semester freshmen) – 2 credits • Bridge to STEP UROP/Research Seminar • Recruit students in collaboration with ALANA offices • LSAMP/NSF supported activity • Exploration of ‘real world’ application of science majors/potential career opportunities • Presentation skills

Administration/Personnel requirements

Director

Administrative Ass’t - financials

LSS – Ass’t to coordinate daily activities

SI - TA support

SEMinar Scholars – Graduate student

UROP Research course – Lab Manager/TA Coordinator

3 TA’s – research support