Preparing Diverse STEM Researchers to Address Global Challenges

国家科学基金会(NSF)致力于扩大科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)领域中那些学科代表性不足的学生的参与，为会议和研讨会提供资金。为此，美国科学促进会(AAAS)将于2020年、2021年和2022年在STEM举办新兴研究人员国家(ERN)会议，主题为“培养多样化的STEM研究人员以应对全球挑战”。会议将包括来自美国国家科学基金会以下项目的本科生和研究生：历史黑人学院和大学-本科生计划，路易斯·斯托克斯少数族裔参与联盟，科学和技术卓越研究中心，研究生教育联盟和教授，部落学院和大学计划，西班牙裔服务机构计划，以及本科生研究经验。然而，任何希望参加会议的学生都被鼓励申请。估计每年有1100人参加会议；其中包括750名学生和350名教职员工和管理人员。与大多数其他专业学会不同的是，这次会议允许在所有NSF支持的学科中发表演讲，以及在跨学科和跨学科研究领域的演讲。该项目旨在：提供机会，增强学生在STEM的社区意识和归属感；为学生提供科学交流和其他专业技能，使STEM员工队伍取得成功；传播资源和最佳实践，以支持学生研究人员和教职员工。为期三天的会议将包括本科生和研究生海报和口头演示；全体会议，STEM专业人员讨论他们的教育和职业道路，以及在STEM劳动力中驾驭职业生涯的经验教训；研讨会，重点是申请和成功研究生项目以及为研究生院筹集资金的战略；以及职业准备研讨会。该项目将包括三个参与领域的社区建设、专业发展和传播活动，为学生提供机会，在特定的STEM教育和研究背景下建立网络、联系和关系，以提高他们在STEM中的学术和社会资本。第一个支柱将支持社区并培养STEM的归属感，包括面对面交流、接触STEM榜样和接触专业STEM联系人。第二个支柱侧重于专业发展，包括电子指导、STEM职业和演讲技能网络研讨会，以及ERN会议期间的技能发展会议。第三个支柱是传播，利用ERN网站分享和推广与支持学生研究人员和教员有关的资源、机会和最佳做法。该项目由形成性和终结性评价以及咨询委员会指导。该评估计划包括一些研究问题，旨在为这些会议如何提高学生的STEM成绩积累知识。该项目由生物科学、计算机与信息科学与工程、教育与人力资源、工程、地球科学、数学与物理科学等主管部门的项目共同资助。主要的资金贡献来自人力资源开发部的以下项目：研究生教育和教授联盟、科学和技术卓越研究中心、路易斯·斯托克斯少数群体参与联盟，以及历史上的黑人学院和大学-本科课程。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In its strong commitment to broaden the participation of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields from groups underrepresented in those disciplines, the National Science Foundation (NSF) provides funding for conferences and workshops. To this end, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) will hold the Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conferences in STEM in 2020, 2021 and 2022 with the theme of "Preparing Diverse STEM Researchers to Address Global Challenges." The conferences will include undergraduate and graduate students from the following programs at the NSF: Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program, Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation, Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology, Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, Tribal Colleges and Universities Program, Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, and Research Experiences for Undergraduates. However, any student wishing to participate in the conference, is encouraged to apply. Estimated annual conference participation is 1,100; including 750 students and 350 faculty and administrators. This conference, unlike those of most other professional societies, allows for presentations in all NSF supported disciplines, as well as presentations in interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary areas of study. This project seeks to: provide opportunities to enhance students' sense of community and belonging in STEM; provide students with science communication and other professional skills for STEM workforce success; and disseminate resources and best practices to support student researchers and faculty. The three-day conference will include undergraduate and graduate student posters and oral presentations; plenary sessions that feature STEM professionals discussing their educational and career pathways and lessons learned about navigating a career in the STEM workforce; workshops focused on strategies for applying for and succeeding in graduate programs and finding funding for graduate school; and career preparation workshops. The project will include community building, professional development, and dissemination activities in three areas of engagement to provide students opportunities to build networks, connections and relationships within specific STEM education and research contexts to enhance their academic and social capital in STEM. The first pillar will support the community and foster a sense of belonging in STEM and includes in-person networking, exposure to STEM role models, and exposure to professional STEM contacts. The second pillar focuses on professional development and includes e-mentoring, STEM career and presentation skills webinars, and skills development sessions during the ERN conference. The third pillar, dissemination, uses the ERN website to share and promote resources, opportunities and best practices related to supporting student researchers and faculty. The project is guided by formative and summative evaluation; as well by an advisory board. The evaluation plan includes research questions designed to build knowledge in how these conferences contribute to students' efficacy in STEM.The project is co-funded by programs in the Directorates of Biological Sciences, Computer and Information Science & Engineering, Education and Human Resources, Engineering, Geosciences, and Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Major funding contributions come from the following programs in the Division of Human Resource Development: Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology, Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Undergraduate Program.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.