Mathematics as a FirstSTEP to Success in STEM

数学是 STEM 成功的第一步

• 批准号: 0969571
• 负责人: Thomas Cheatham
• 金额: $ 199.95万
• 依托单位: Middle Tennessee State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-06-01 至 2016-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0969571&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Mathematics; FirstSTEP; Success; STEM

Difficulties in passing required mathematics courses often discourage young STEM majors, leading them to leave STEM for other fields. Based on the success of STEPMT: STEPping up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee State University, the Type 1-B Mathematics as a FirstSTEP to Success in STEM project focuses on interventions addressing math deficiencies which place freshman STEM majors who are at risk of not graduating as STEM majors into an intensive academic and student support environment. FirstSTEP Is a broad-based project that targets students from all STEM disciplines who are underprepared in mathematics. First-time, full-time freshman students, who are at-risk based on mathematics ACT test scores, participate in an intensive two-year program that includes a mathematics bridge program before their freshman year followed by an individualized study plan using technology and human interventions. The cohorts of students complete pre-calculus in the fall semester and Calculus I in the spring semester along with a one-credit semester during the academic year. The one-credit course adopts and implements an effective professional seminar model in which students learn the knowledge and skills associated with successful STEM professionals. During the summer between their freshman and sophomore years, cohorts participate in a one-month, intensive, inquiry-based exploration utilizing mathematics that is connected to their major field of study. During the sophomore year, the cohorts of students enroll in a one-credit semester designed to develop skills to prepare them for undergraduate research and to mentor the next freshman cohorts. In addition, First STEP builds on current projects aimed at increasing graduation rates of all STEM majors by addressing the high DFW rates in pre-calculus and calculus. Pedagogies, such as Peer Led Team Learning, stretch courses, and individualized study plans, are used and tested during the summer bridge program and then are integrated into pre-calculus and Calculus I courses for all students, STEM majors and students in other majors. With changes in the courses, more aspiring STEM majors, who are underprepared in mathematics, experience success in their mathematics courses and consequently continue in their STEM studies.

通过数学必修课程的困难往往会使STEM专业的年轻学生气馁，导致他们离开STEM，转向其他领域。基于STEPMT的成功：加强田纳西州立大学的本科生研究，Type 1-B数学作为STEM成功的第一步项目重点关注解决数学缺陷的干预措施，这些缺陷使有可能无法以STEM专业毕业的大一STEM学生进入密集的学术和学生支持环境。FirstSTEP是一个基础广泛的项目，目标是来自所有STEM学科的数学准备不足的学生。首次入学的全日制大一学生在ACT数学考试成绩上有风险，他们要参加一个为期两年的强化课程，其中包括在大一之前的数学桥梁课程，然后是使用技术和人工干预的个性化学习计划。学生们在秋季学期完成微积分预科，在春季学期完成微积分I，并在学年中完成一个学分的学期。这门一学分的课程采用并实施了有效的专业研讨会模式，让学生学习与成功的STEM专业人士相关的知识和技能。在大一和大二之间的暑假，学生们将参与一个为期一个月的、密集的、以探究为基础的探索，利用与他们专业研究领域相关的数学。在大二期间，学生们参加了一个学分的学期，旨在培养他们的技能，为本科研究做准备，并指导下一届新生。此外，First STEP建立在当前项目的基础上，旨在通过解决微积分预科和微积分的高辍学率来提高所有STEM专业的毕业率。在夏季桥梁课程中，采用了同伴领导的团队学习、延伸课程和个性化学习计划等教学法，并进行了测试，然后将其整合到所有学生、STEM专业和其他专业的微积分预科和微积分I课程中。随着课程的变化，更多在数学方面准备不足的有抱负的STEM专业学生在数学课程上取得了成功，从而继续他们的STEM学习。