STudents Advancing through Involvement in Research Student Talent Expansion Program (STAIRSTEP)

该计划旨在增加拉马尔大学计算机科学、化学、物理、地质、地球科学和数学等专业有才华的本科生的数量。面临风险的学生包括在科学、技术和数学领域代表性不足的妇女和少数族裔学生，以及由于经济负担和缺乏榜样而面临风险的低收入和第一代学生。目标是：(1)留住有天赋的高危学生；（二）帮助他们升学或从事科学工作；(3)吸引更多的学生进入这个领域。策略包括：(1)通过辅导、指导和同伴支持，让STAIRSTEP学生参与丰富的研究计划；(2)利用院校关系帮助学生进入下一阶段；(3)消除阻碍科学参与的误解；(4)让STAIRSTEP学生参与面向高中生、社区大学生和普通专业或未申报专业的大学生的外展计划。学生们将课堂上学到的概念应用到他们的研究中，而他们的研究又被纳入到相关的课堂中。该项目通过让新科学家在多样化的团队中工作，包括来自不同种族和社会经济背景的男性和女性，帮助他们为全球劳动力做好准备。它使处于危险中的学生能够在科学领域获得充实的职业生涯，从而使社会受益，这反过来又通过灌输他们不同的思想和观点来加强该领域。

This program is designed to increase the number of talented at risk undergraduate students receiving baccalaureate degrees in Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Earth Science, and Mathematics at Lamar University. At risk students include women and minorities who are underrepresented in science, technology, and mathematics, as well as low income and first generation students who are at risk because of financial burdens and the lack of role models. The goals are to: (1) retain talented at risk students; (2) help transition them into advanced study or careers in science; and (3) attract more students to the field. Strategies include: (1) engaging STAIRSTEP students in an enriched research plan with tutoring, mentoring, and peer support; (2) using institutional relationships to help students bridge to the next level; (3) dispelling misconceptions that discourage participation in science; and (4) engaging STAIRSTEP students in outreach programs for high school students, community college students and university students in general studies or undeclared majors. STAIRSTEP students are applying concepts they learn in class to their research, and their research is in turn incorporated into relevant classes. The program is helping prepare new scientists for the global workforce by having them work in teams that are diverse, including men and women from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. It is benefiting society by enabling at risk students to attain fulfilling careers in science, which in turn strengthens the field by the infusion of their diverse ideas and perspectives.