Rewarding Achievement in Mathematics and Science (RAMS) Scholarships

圣爱德华兹大学（St. Edwards University）的一组教师和管理人员正在增加有学术天赋、有经济需求的学生的数量，这些学生可以获得生物信息学、环境和法医化学、计算机科学和数学的学士学位。“奖励数学与科学成就”（RAMS）项目为通过参与紧密的学习者社区而留在STEM专业的学生提供14个奖学金。这个学生群体正在通过一系列支持机制在学术和社会上发展，包括：(a)第一年研讨会，(b)补充指导和同伴领导的团队学习，(c)科学生活和学习社区，(d)科学演讲者系列，(e)暑期研究，以及(f)与当地工业合作伙伴实习。PI团队正在从多样化的学生群体中招聘，其中35%的STEM专业学生是西班牙裔。该项目在两个方面产生了广泛的影响。首先，通过评估和评估产生的数据支持这样一个基本原理，即通过强调社区建设的综合学生发展计划，可以实现STEM领域学生的高留存率。形成性和总结性评估侧重于评估项目招募、保留和毕业学生的能力。其次，项目成果的传播提供了一种模式，通过将学生融入紧密的学习者社区，将他们留在STEM领域。项目团队在他们的许多地区和国家联盟中展示他们的工作，包括新美国学院和大学、德克萨斯西班牙裔服务机构和德克萨斯天主教学院和大学。

A team of faculty and administrators at St. Edwards University is increasing the number of academically talented students with demonstrated financial need who earn baccalaureate degrees in the bioinformatics, environmental and forensic chemistry, computer science, and mathematics. The Rewarding Achievement in Mathematics and Science (RAMS) project is providing 14 scholarships to students who are being retained as STEM majors through participating in a close-knit community of learners. This student cohort is developing academically and socially through an array of support mechanisms, including: (a) a first year seminar, (b) supplemental instruction and peer-led team learning, (c) a science living and learning community, (d) the Science Speakers Series, (e) summer research, and (f) internships with local industrial partners. The PI team is recruiting from a diverse pool of students in which 35% of their STEM majors are Hispanic.This project is generating a broad impact in two ways. First, data generated through assessment and evaluation is supporting the rationale that high retention of students in STEM fields can be achieved through a comprehensive program of student development that emphasizes community-building. Formative and summative evaluation is focusing on assessment of the project's ability to recruit, retain, and graduate students. Secondly, dissemination of the project results is providing a model for retaining students in the STEM fields by integrating them into a close-knit community of learners. The project team is presenting their work throughout their many regional and national consortia including the New American Colleges and Universities, the Texas Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and the Catholic Colleges and Universities of Texas.