Environmental Computing and Community Engagement in Undergraduate STEM Education

该项目旨在通过在泽维尔大学的STEM课程中引入面向社区的计算组件来服务于高质量本科STEM教育的国家利益。 具体来说，本科生将开发基于微生物学的系统，用于收集空气中的颗粒物数据。 他们将与公立学校的教师和学生合作，在新奥尔良周围的地点部署传感器，并分析产生的数据。空气中的颗粒物往往是少数民族和其他服务不足的社区最关注的污染物。该项目将为本科生和他们指导的学生提供与学生及其社区相关的学习经验。 研究表明，学生参与这种现实世界的，个人相关的STEM项目，包括学生毕业后对STEM相关职业的兴趣增加，产生了积极的影响。因此，该项目有可能扩大学生对STEM的兴趣，并增加对STEM相关专业的追求。该项目有两个具体目标：1）开发基于微生物技术的环境数据收集系统（主要是空气中的颗粒物），并在新奥尔良周围的地点部署该系统;以及（2）让泽维尔大学的本科生与公立学校的教师和学生以及政府机构合作，应用STEM方法来解决环境问题。 该项目将有助于解决泽维尔大学及其周边地区空气质量时空采样不足的问题。 该项目采用分层指导系统，项目团队成员指导本科生，本科生反过来与公立学校教师合作并指导他们的学生。 注重利用的评价战略将考虑到学生和教师的反馈意见，以确保项目活动符合当地的利益和需要。该项目将利用内部和外部的程序跟踪和基准指标来衡量学生的招聘，保留和持久性。通过调查，访谈和学生跟踪收集的定量和定性数据的分析和半年期报告将用于评估项目绩效，告知项目方向，并评估项目要素对教师和学生的绩效，动机和愿望的影响。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。该奖项反映了NSF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。

This project aims to serve the national interest in high quality undergraduate STEM education by introducing a computational, community-oriented component into STEM programs at Xavier University. Specifically, undergraduate students will develop microcontroller-based systems for collecting airborne particulate data. They will work with public school teachers and students to deploy the sensors at locations around New Orleans and to analyze the resulting data. Airborne particulates are often the pollutant of greatest concern in minority and other underserved communities. This project will provide undergraduates and the students they mentor with learning experiences that are relevant to the students and their communities. Research has shown positive effects from student involvement in such real-world, personally relevant STEM projects, including increases in student interest in STEM-related careers after graduation. As a result, the project has the potential to broaden student interest in STEM and increase pursuit of STEM-related majors.The project has two specific aims: 1) to develop microcontroller-based systems for collecting environmental data (primarily airborne particulates) and deploy the systems at locations around New Orleans; and (2) to engage Xavier undergraduates in working with public school teachers and students, and government agencies to apply STEM methods to address environmental problems. The project will help to address insufficient spatiotemporal air quality sampling in and around Xavier University. The project uses a tiered mentoring system in which the project team members mentor undergraduates, who in turn work with public school teachers and mentor their students. Utilization-focused evaluation strategies will accommodate student and teacher feedback to ensure that project activities meet local interests and needs. The project will make use of internal and external program tracking and benchmarking metrics to measure student recruitment, retention, and persistence. Analysis and biannual reporting of quantitative and qualitative data collected via surveys, interviews, and student tracking will be used to assess project performance, inform project direction, and evaluate the effects of program elements on the performance, motivation, and aspirations of teachers and students. 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.