Enhancement of Research Capabilities for Students and Faculty through Development of a Master of Science Degree Program

部落学院和大学方案的一个目标是提高为全国土著学生服务的特定高等教育机构的科学、技术、工程和数学教学和研究能力。 扩大这些机构的研究能力扩大了学生在STEM领域追求具有挑战性，有价值的职业的机会，为可能与当地相关的领域提供了研究，并鼓励教师社区超越传统课堂寻求智力和专业成长。该项目直接与这一目标相一致，而且将增加直接影响印度国家生活质量的地区环境科学领域的知识体系。Sitting Bull College（SBC）已经开始开发环境科学（ENS）计划的理学硕士学位（MS）。该项目的目标1是通过提高ENS学生在各个学术层面的研究经验的质量，通过发展科学硕士学位，提高学生的招聘，保留和毕业率。 这将通过改善所有ENS学生从MS学位的发展研究经验来完成。目标2是为Standing Rock社区培训STEM领域的多元化劳动力，这些劳动力具有领导技能，并接受过在不同领域使用最先进技术的培训，如水质，污染科学，生态学和气候变化。学术和研究活动将采用同期组群模式。 不同的群体将讨论不同的研究主题。目标3是通过创新的招聘和保留计划，国际研究计划和文化上适当的课程，扩大对STEM领域的兴趣。这将通过中学科学院方案、哥斯达黎加的一个研究方案以及制定文化相关课程和其他材料来实现。

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 research capacity at these institutions expands the opportunities for students to pursue challenging, rewarding careers in STEM fields, provides for research studies in areas that may be locally relevant, and encourages a faculty community to look beyond the traditional classroom for intellectual and professional growth. This project aligns directly with that goal, and moreover will increase the body of knowledge in the field of environmental science in regions that directly impact quality of life in Indian country.Sitting Bull College (SBC) has begun the process of developing a Master of Science Degree (MS)in the Environmental Science (ENS) Program. Goal 1 of this project is to increase recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of students by enhancing the quality of ENS student experiences in research at all academic levels through the development of a Master of Science Degree. This will be done by improving the research experience for all ENS students from the development of an MS degree. Goal 2 is to train a diversified work force in STEM fields for the Standing Rock community that has leadership skills and is trained in the use of state-of-the-art technology in diverse areas, such as water quality, pollution science, ecology, and climate change. A cohort model will be used for academic and research activities. Different cohorts will address different research topics. The result will be an educated work force trained in the latest technology in diverse areas of ENS. Goal 3 is to expand interest in STEM fields to a wider spectrum of students through innovative recruitment and retention programs, international research programs and culturally appropriate curricula. This will be accomplished by Middle School Science Academy programs, a research program in Costa Rica, and development of culturally relevant course and other materials.