Targeted Infusion Project: Infusion of Research and Peer-Led Team Learning to Enhance Student Engagement in Foundational Courses at Lane College

历史黑人学院和大学本科项目(HBCU-UP)通过有针对性的灌输项目，支持基于证据的创新模式和方法的开发、实施和研究，以改善HBCU本科生的准备和成功，使他们能够攻读STEM研究生课程和/或职业。莱恩学院的这个项目旨在改善生物和化学专业学生的第一年体验。该项目旨在通过在普通生物学和普通化学基础课程中融入研究和同行主导的团队学习，提高学生在STEM中的留存率、参与度和学术进步。莱恩学院的新生主要来自服务不足的少数族裔人群，其中许多是第一代大学生，如果没有他们，他们就不会享受高等教育的好处。此外，很少有学生参与本科生的研究机会，大多数人还没有为进入STEM工作做好准备。该项目将吸引大量未得到充分服务的少数民族学生参与科学研究，提高学生基础实验室技能，为学生提供研究生和专业学校的资格。这将显著增加莱恩学院完成生物和化学课程的学生数量。这些好处将导致进入STEM领域的少数族裔学生数量增加，从而导致劳动力更加多样化。该项目的总体目标是通过以学生为中心的方法，提高学生在基础课程：普通生物学和普通化学中的学习和核心能力，从而提高STEM的保留率。这一目标将通过以下具体目标来实现：1)在生物和化学基础课程中采用和实施基于证据的同行辅导方法，以提高学生的保留率和学习成绩；2)通过普通生物学和普通化学实验室课程的探究式经验，及早培养在科学职业生涯中取得成功所必需的核心能力。实现该项目目标的好处包括：1)增加学生对生物和化学基本概念的学习；以及2)改善莱恩学院的STEM教育和研究，同时培养学生对STEM专业和职业的兴趣。这个项目是自然科学、自然科学和数学系内的生物和化学系之间的合作努力。

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) through Targeted Infusion Projects supports the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based innovative models and approaches for improving the preparation and success of HBCU undergraduate students so that they may pursue STEM graduate programs and/or careers. The project at Lane College seeks to improve the first-year experience for Biology and Chemistry majors. The project aims to improve student retention, engagement, and academic progress in STEM by infusing research and peer-led team learning in General Biology and General Chemistry foundational courses. Lane College freshmen are mainly from underserved minority populations, and many are first generation college students who would not otherwise receive the benefit of higher education. In addition, very few students engage in undergraduate research opportunities and most are underprepared for a career in STEM. This project will engage a large number of underserved minority students in scientific research, improve student foundational laboratory skills, and provide students with qualifications for graduate and professional school. It will significantly increase the number of Lane College students completing the Biology and Chemistry programs. These benefits will result in an increase in the number of minority students entering STEM fields, thereby leading to a more diverse workforce. The overall goal of the project is to improve STEM retention through student-focused approaches that enhance student learning and core competencies within foundational courses: General Biology and General Chemistry. This goal will be accomplished through the following specific objectives: 1) Adopt and implement an evidence-based Peer Tutoring approach in foundational courses for Biology and Chemistry to increase student retention and academic performance; and 2) Develop core competencies necessary for success in a career in science early through inquiry-based experiences in General Biology and General Chemistry Laboratory courses. The benefits of achieving the objectives of this project include: 1) increased student learning of fundamental concepts in Biology and Chemistry; and 2) improved STEM education and research at Lane College while honing students' interest in STEM fields as a major and as a career. This project is a collaborative effort between the Biology and Chemistry departments within the Division of Natural and Physical Sciences and Mathematics.