Targeted Infusion Project:Promoting Student Engagement and Success in STEM through a Combined Approach

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本科学生的准备和成功，使他们可以攻读科学、技术、工程或数学(STEM)研究生课程和/或职业。该项目旨在提高Tougaloo学院大一新生在门户科学课程中的坚持性和保持性，并增加研究机会。该项目的目标将通过两种教学方法相结合来实现，即适应性学习和POGIL(面向过程的指导性探究学习)，这两种方法已被证明在改善学生的学习体验和结果方面是有效的。项目设计帮助不同背景知识水平的学生在掌握普通化学课程的概念方面达到相同的能力。为了确保没有准备的学生取得成功，将开发一门将数学部分与化学概念相结合的新课程。本课程将帮助学生在科学和数学技能之间建立联系，这对他们在高级课程中的学习是有益的。该项目还通过独立和以课程为基础的本科生研究经验来装备和从事一年级学生的研究。该项目的最终目标是增加学生攻读STEM专业的力量，并提高HBCU的STEM教育和研究质量。通过该项目开发的方法将为面临STEM一年级学生自然减员挑战的大学提供一个有效的模式。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。

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 science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) graduate programs and/or careers. This project seeks to improve persistence and retention in gateway science courses and increase research opportunities for freshman students at Tougaloo College.The goals of this project will be realized by combining two pedagogies, adaptive learning and POGIL (process oriented guided inquiry learning), that have been proven effective in improving students’ learning experience and outcomes. The project design aids students of various background knowledge levels to reach the same competency in mastering concepts in general chemistry courses. To ensure the success of unprepared students, a new course which incorporates math components with chemistry concepts will be developed. This course will help students build connections between science and math skills which is beneficial for their learning in advanced courses. This project also equips and engages first-year students in research through independent and course-based undergraduate research experiences. The ultimate goal of the project is to increase students’ strength in pursuing a STEM major and to improve the quality of STEM education and research at HBCUs. The approaches developed through this project will present an effective model for colleges facing the challenge of first-year STEM student attrition.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.