Discipline: Physics
Subcategory: STEM Science and Mathematics Education
Maurice Edington - Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Co-Author(s): Lewis Johnson, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL; Desmond Stephens, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL; Carl Moore, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL; Codjo A Akpovo, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
The overall goal of the Florida A&M University HBCU-UP Implementation project ‘Science Community of Active Learners to enhance Achievement and Retention (SCALAR II)’ is to significantly improve student success rates in the STEM programs and courses offered by FAMU’s College of Science and Technology (CST). Achieving this goal requires 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; 3) helping students develop positive attitudes about their ability to learn; 4) placing students in productive learning environments; 5) providing students with sufficient academic support resources throughout their academic career in STEM, and 6) developing and enhancing critical thinking skills. In response, we detail herein a Scientist Life Skills course for all freshman biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics majors which is successfully teaching students the academic skills necessary to succeed. We also present a six-week-long learning community that trains faculty on how to effectively stimulate students’ ability to think critically, persist with grit, and grow their mindsets. Finally, we provide the framework for Preparing STEM Scholars for Success (PS3) Bootcamp for incoming CST first-year students. The PS3 Bootcamp utilizes the ALEKS, peer mentoring best practices all in an intensive week-long residential program to help students enter their freshman year calculus ready and better prepared to tackle the rigors of the college experience.
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,
NSF Affiliation: HBCU-UP