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

部落学院和大学方案(TCUP)的一个目标是提高为本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领域追求富有挑战性和回报的职业的机会，提供在可能具有文化意义的领域进行研究的机会，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，而且将使整个知识体系了解本科生研究经验在招募和留住STEM研究人员和培养下一代STEM专业人员方面的重要性和开展工作。教师与研究的联系，以及学生与文化和地理相关的研究的联系，是培养更有可能攻读更高学位的留学生的重要一步。对于那些直接从部落大学进入劳动力市场的学生来说，同样重要的是，他们拥有进入STEM劳动力市场的明确的数学、科学和技术技能。西塞顿·瓦佩顿学院(SWC)将开设行为科学文科副学士学位。该学位课程将把研究纳入课程的开发，并作为学生教育经验的一部分。核心研究概念，如数据收集和分析、证据标准、道德、技术写作技能和批判性思维，将通过使用课程模块整合到整个课程中。这些单元的设计将使学生接触到真实的行为科学研究活动。通过使用这种设计，所有的学生，即使是那些注册了入门课程的学生，都将有使用研究方法的经验。正在提议的计划将包括行为科学中的一系列学科。该设计为学生在该领域提供了坚实的基础，这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课程之间的衔接协议，并加强学生支持服务，以招收进入学士学位课程的学生。随着转移到其他大学的重点，该项目将研究以下研究问题：从部落大学开始的美国印第安人学生的毕业率是否高于那些从主流大学开始的学生？此外，该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的战略见解。

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.