The CLASS Project: Community of Learners Achieving Science Success 2012-2017

该项目是从农村背景毕业的理科学士或第一代大学毕业生，特别欢迎占学生人数很大一部分的女性参与者。 维泰博大学正在向两批各12名学生颁发奖学金，以获得四年的支持，并正在招收攻读生物化学、化学或数学物理学位的学生。 CLASS（学习者取得科学成功的社区）学者是高中GPA至少为3.3，ACT分数为24或以上，并且有文件证明有经济需求的学生。 利用他们在与学生在物理科学代表性不足的工作经验，维泰博是支持学生在学术上，使他们克服任何准备不足，并提供同侪指导，本科生的研究机会，社会动机，以提高学生的保留和成功。维泰博使选择进行本科研究的CLASS学者能够在同行评议的论坛上展示或发表他们的研究结果。 CLASS学者是学习者社区的一部分，该社区对大学定位和学习技能发展以及积极的数学和科学辅导进行干预。 该项目还提供工作影子，介绍不同的科学职业，积极的同伴指导，并为科学为基础的服务学习的机会。该项目是从以前的S-STEM奖的研究成果，并正在由一个合格的团队在与有才华的，但准备不足的学生工作经验领导。 该项目继续增加关于如何增加在科学教育中取得成功的机会的知识基础，特别是对于来自农村背景的第一代学生，该项目正在导致更多的代表性不足的学生参与物理科学。 该项目正朝着一个明确的方向发展，以促进更多样化的STEM研究生人才库或高素质和多样化的STEM劳动力，这两者都在满足国家需求。

This project is graduating bachelor-degreed science majors from rural backgrounds, or as first-generation college graduates, and is especially welcoming women participants who make up a large fraction of their student body. Viterbo University is awarding scholarships to two cohorts of 12 students each, to receive four years of support and is enrolling students who are pursuing degrees in biochemistry, chemistry, or mathematical physics. The CLASS (Community of Learners Achieving Science Success) scholars are students with a high school GPA of at least 3.3, an ACT score of 24 or above, and who have documented financial need. Using their experience in working with students underrepresented in the physical sciences, Viterbo is supporting the students academically so they overcome any deficiencies in preparation and is offering peer mentoring, undergraduate research opportunities, and social motivation to enhance the students' retention and success. Viterbo is enabling the CLASS scholars who elect to conduct undergraduate research to present or publish their findings in a peer-reviewed forum. The CLASS scholars are part of a Community of Learners that has interventions in college orientation and study skill development, as well as aggressive mathematics and science tutoring. The project is also offering job shadowing, introduction to diverse science careers, active peer mentoring, and opportunities for science-based service learning.The project is extending findings from a prior S-STEM award and is being led by a well-qualified team experience in working with talented but under-prepared students. It continues to add to the knowledge base of how to enhance the opportunities for success in science education, particularly for first-generation students from rural backgrounds.The project is leading to increased participation of underrepresented students in the physical sciences. The project is on a clear trajectory to contribute to a more diversified pool of STEM graduate students or to a highly-qualified and diversified STEM workforce, both of which are addressing national needs.