Improving STEM Competencies via Archaeology Research in the Staunton River Valley

本项目由美国国家科学基金会改善本科STEM教育计划：教育与人力资源（IUSE: EHR）资助，旨在通过提高本科生的STEM知识和能力来服务于国家利益。为了实现这一目标，该项目将重新设计一系列考古学和人类学课程、实验室和实地研究机会。重新设计的专业和非专业入门课程和实验室将满足该大学所有学位课程的STEM要求。该项目还将扩大考古学/人类学专业、其他STEM专业和非STEM专业学生参与本科生研究的机会。项目团队预计，这些变化将提高学生对STEM的兴趣、毅力和能力，从而支持培养一支准备充分的STEM劳动力和具有STEM素养的人口。该项目的总体目标是提高STEM和非STEM本科生的STEM能力。该项目将重新设计考古学和人类学课程，以纳入基于研究的教学实践。预期的项目成果包括学生在STEM领域的知识和能力，以及对STEM领域的兴趣和坚持。该项目将解决三个主要研究问题：(1)参与考古实地研究能否提高本科生（包括第一代大学生和/或来自低收入或农村背景的学生）的STEM能力？(2)考古研究的支架方法，包括重新设计和调整课程以支持本科生研究，是否能最大限度地提高STEM学习成果？(3)考古研究对所有学生的本科学业成功有什么影响？混合方法比较研究将检验项目活动的有效性，并检验学生参与本科研究可以最大限度地提高STEM学习成果的假设。NSF IUSE: EHR计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生STEM教育的有效性。通过参与学生学习轨道，该计划支持有前途的实践和工具的创建，探索和实施。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

With support from the NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education Program: Education and Human Resources (IUSE: EHR), this project aims to serve the national interest by improving undergraduate students' STEM knowledge and competencies. To accomplish this goal, the project will redesign a series of archaeology and anthropology courses, laboratories, and field research opportunities. The redesigned introductory course and laboratory for majors and non-majors will fulfill the STEM requirement for all degree programs at the University. The project will also expand opportunities for Archaeology/Anthropology majors, other STEM majors, and non-STEM majors to participate in undergraduate research. The project team expects that these changes will improve student interest, persistence, and competencies in STEM, thus supporting development of a well-prepared STEM workforce and STEM-literate population.The overarching goal of the project is to improve STEM competency among STEM and non-STEM undergraduate students. The project will redesign Archaeology and Anthropology courses so incorporate research-based instructional practices. Expected project outcomes include student knowledge and competencies in STEM, as well as increased interest and persistence in STEM fields. The project will address three primary research questions: (1) Can participation in archaeology field research improve STEM competencies of undergraduate students, including students who are first-generation college students and/or from low-income or rural backgrounds? (2) Does a scaffolded approach to archaeological research, including the redesign and alignment of courses to support undergraduate research, maximize STEM learning outcomes? (3) What impact does archaeological research have on undergraduate academic success for all students? The mixed method comparison study will examine the effectiveness of project activities and test the hypothesis that student participation in undergraduate research can maximize STEM learning outcomes. The NSF IUSE: EHR Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.