S-STEM: Challenging and Nurturing Students to Become Academically and Civically-Engaged Scientists

这个S-STEM项目的目标是引导优秀的STEM学生成为学术和公民参与的科学家（ace）。该提案的基本前提是，随着美国增加STEM专业人员的数量，以在创新方面脱颖而出，同样重要的是，这些STEM专业人员将他们选择的职业视为赋予他们作为公民为社区、国家和世界服务的责任。ACES项目每年将支持10-11名STEM学生，这些学生将获得奖学金。作为大一新生，学者们住在一个宿舍群里，一起参加公共课程，并探索成为一名具有公民意识的学者意味着什么。作为高年级学生，学者们与一名教师一起完成一项个性化的荣誉研究项目。每个ACES学员每年都会完成社区参与项目，使他们能够应用自己的STEM知识和领导技能。他们还将参与指导项目和职业发展机会。该项目的具体可衡量目标是：(1)招募不同的学生到STEM领域，(2)保留85%的STEM领域的奖学金获得者，(3)提高参与者的公民意识和参与度，(4)实现90%的项目毕业生在STEM领域的安置。ACES计划将使学者能够与同行和社区伙伴建立专业关系，并向各种受众阐明成为一名参与公民活动的科学家意味着什么。作为这个项目的结果，ACES学生将能够通过运用他们的科学知识和技能积极参与社区问题。ACES项目的评估和评价将包括形成性和总结性两部分，采用直接和间接的循证措施。

The goal of this S-STEM project is to guide high-achieving STEM students in becoming academically and civically-engaged scientists (ACES). The underlying premise of this proposal is that as the US increases the number of STEM professionals in order to excel in innovation, it is equally important that those STEM professionals see their chosen vocations as giving them a responsibility to serve their community, nation, and world as citizens. The ACES program will support a diverse cohort of 10-11 STEM students who will be awarded scholarships each year. As freshmen, scholars live in a residential cluster, enroll in common courses together, and explore what it means to be civically-minded scholars. As seniors, scholars complete an individualized honors research project with a faculty member. Each ACES cohort completes community engagement projects every year that allow them to apply their STEM knowledge and their leadership skills. They will also participate in mentoring programs and career development opportunities. The specific measurable objectives of this project are to: (1) recruit diverse students to STEM fields, (2) retain 85% of scholarship recipients in a STEM field, (3) increase civic mindedness and engagement among participants, and (4) achieve a STEM placement for 90% of the program graduates. The ACES program will enable scholars to develop professional relationships with their peers and community partners, and articulate what it means to be a civically-engaged scientist to a variety of audiences. As a result of this program, ACES students will be able to actively engage with community issues by applying their scientific body of knowledge and skills. Assessment and evaluation of the ACES program will contain both formative and summative components using both direct and indirect evidence-based measures.