Building Capacity in the Behavioral Sciences to Improve the Quality of Life on the Lake Traverse Reservation

部落学院和大学计划（TCUP）的一个目标是提高为美国土著学生服务的特定高等教育机构的科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）教学和研究能力。在这些机构扩大STEM课程的范围，可以扩大学生在STEM领域追求具有挑战性、回报丰厚的职业的机会，为可能具有文化意义的领域提供研究，并鼓励社区和世代对科学和数学教育的欣赏。该项目与这一目标直接一致，而且将告知有关本科研究经验在招募和留住代表性不足的个人进入STEM研究中的重要性和行为的知识体系，并为下一代STEM专业人员做好准备。将教师与研究联系起来，从而将学生与文化和地理相关的研究联系起来，是培养更有可能追求更高学位的留校学生的重要一步。对于那些直接从部落学院进入劳动力市场的学生来说，同样重要的是，他们在数学、科学和技术方面拥有明确的技能，以便进入STEM劳动力市场。西塞顿·瓦佩顿学院（SWC）将开设行为科学副学士学位。这个学位课程将把研究纳入课程的发展，并作为学生教育经验的组成部分。核心研究概念，如数据收集和分析，证据标准，道德，技术写作技巧，批判性思维将通过课程模块的使用整合到整个课程。这些模块的设计将使学生接触到行为科学领域的真实研究活动。通过使用这种设计，所有的学生，甚至是那些参加了入门课程的学生，都将有使用研究方法的经验。该计划将包括行为科学中的广泛学科。该设计为学生在该领域奠定了坚实的基础，为他们在其他机构攻读学士学位提供了更多的选择。SWC及其大学合作伙伴致力于创建项目对项目衔接协议，并加强学生支持服务，以使学生进入学士学位课程。随着对转学到其他大学的关注，该项目将检查以下研究问题：在部落学院就读的美国印第安学生的完成率是否高于在主流大学就读的学生？此外，项目评估计划将为寻求加强STEM教学能力的社区学院提供有效策略的见解。

A goal of the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) is to increase the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) instructional and research capacities of specific institutions of higher education that serve the Nation's indigenous students. Expanding the STEM curricular offerings at these institutions expands the opportunities of their students to pursue challenging, rewarding careers in STEM fields, provides for research studies in areas that may be culturally significant, and encourages a community and generational appreciation for science and mathematics education. This project aligns directly with that goal, and moreover will inform the body of knowledge about the importance and conduct of undergraduate research experiences in recruiting and retaining underrepresented individuals into STEM studies, and preparing the next generation of STEM professionals. The connection of faculty to research and thereby the students to culturally and geographically relevant research is an important step in producing retained students who are more likely to pursue advanced degrees. For those students entering the workforce directly from a tribal college it is equally important that they have a well-defined skill set in mathematics, science, and technology for entry into the STEM workforce. Sisseton Wahpeton College (SWC) will implement an associate of arts degree in the behaviorial sciences. This degree program will incorporate research in the development of the curricula and as a component of the educational experiences for students. Core research concepts such as data collection and analysis, evidentiary standards, ethics, technical writing skills, and critical thinking will be integrated throughout the curriculum by the utilization of course modules. These modules will be designed to expose students to authentic research activities in the behavioral sciences. By utilizing this design all students, even those enrolled in introductory courses, will have the experience of employing research methods. The program being proposed will include a wide range of disciplines within the behavioral sciences. The design provides students with a strong foundation in the field, which allows for more options as they pursue baccalaureate degrees at other institutions. SWC and its university partners are committed to the creation of program-to-program articulation agreements and enhancing student support services for matriculating students into baccalaureate degree programs. With this focus on transfers to other universities, the project will examine the following research question: Are completion rates higher for American Indian students that begin at a tribal college than those who begin at a mainstream college? Additionally, the project evaluation plan will provide insight into effective strategies for community colleges that seek to strengthen instructional capacity in STEM.