Learning Applied Science and Effective Research (LASER)

德克萨斯路德大学（TLU）因其名为“学习应用科学和有效研究（LASER）”的项目获得了美国国家科学基金会科学、技术、工程和数学（S-STEM）奖学金。激光计划将增加在生物学、生物化学、化学和物理学领域有学术天赋和经济困难的学生和毕业生的数量。项目团队将招募和招收16名学生，组成两个LASER组：8名一年级学生和8名二年级学生。学生将被保留到毕业，获得学士学位，并在毕业后六个月内从事STEM职业。一个精心策划的留校计划将建立在TLU学术支持服务的基础上，包括补充指导、同伴辅导和强有力的职业发展计划。专门为LASER设计的新的STEM支持服务包括LASER生活/学习社区、联合课程、LASER同行和教师导师、专业网络、联合课程STEM职业模块以及科学实习/研究机会。项目外部评估人员将使用形成性和总结性评估来评估学生在学位、项目活动参与、毕业率和职业安置方面的进展情况。将特别强调调查，以评估和改进课外职业模块和专业会议/网络。这些数据将为学生的毕业提供有效的支持。

Texas Lutheran University (TLU) has received an NSF Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) award for their project entitled "Learning Applied Science and Effective Research (LASER)." LASER will increase the number of academically talented and financially needy students and graduates in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and physics. The project team will recruit and enroll 16 students to form two LASER cohorts: eight students in year one and eight students in year two. Students will be retained through graduation, achieving a baccalaureate degree, and employed in a STEM career within six months of graduation. A well-planned retention program will build on TLU academic support services that include supplemental instruction, peer tutoring, and strong career development programs. New STEM support services being designed specifically for LASER include a LASER living/learning community, cohorted courses, LASER peer and faculty mentors, professional networking, cohorted co-curricular STEM career modules, and science internship/research opportunities. The project external evaluator will use both formative and summative evaluations to assess student progress to degree, participation in project activities, graduation rates, and career placement. Particular emphasis will be placed on the surveys to assess and improve the co-curricular career modules and professional conferences/networking. These data will provide information about effective support of students through to graduation.