Discipline: Science & Mathematics Education
Subcategory: STEM Science and Mathematics Education
- Florida A&M University
Co-Author(s): Lewis Johnson, Desmond Stephens and Paulette Reneau, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
This presentation will provide an overview of Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) recently funded HBCU-UP Implementation project “Science Community of Active Learners to enhance Achievement and Retention (SCALAR).” The overall goal of SCALAR is to significantly improve student success rates in FAMU’s STEM programs and gateway courses. This will be achieved by taking a deliberate, integrated, and focused approach towards: 1) improving student math deficiencies early in the academic career; 2) ensuring that students develop sound foundational knowledge in core disciplines; 2) helping students develop positive attitudes about their ability to learn; 3) placing students in effective learning environments; 4) providing students with sufficient academic support resources throughout their academic career in STEM; and 5) developing and enhancing critical thinking skills. The successful implementation of the SCALAR project will result in improved academic support services, teaching and learning in STEM areas. The outcome of these efforts will be an improvement in the student core abilities and mindset necessary to tackle the rigor of STEM disciplines, which will lead to higher student retention of content, increased recruitment and retention of students in STEM majors, shorter time toward degree, and increased numbers of students obtaining graduate degrees.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Undergraduate Program (HBCU) Grant award HRD-1719546
Faculty Advisor: None Listed,