Catalyst Project: Data Science and Machine Learning – An Interdisciplinary STEM Training Project for the Future Workforce

催化剂项目为历史悠久的黑人学院和大学(HBCU)提供支持，以努力建立教员的研究能力，以加强科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)本科教育和研究。预计该奖项将进一步提高教职员工的研究能力，改善学院的研究和教学，并让本科生参与研究经验。本尼迪克特学院(BC)与北卡罗来纳州立大学(NCSU)合作，致力于加强本科课程，为HBCU学生提供足够的数据科学和机器学习方面的知识、动手培训和证书。该项目的四个总体目标是：(1)开发联合数据科学和机器学习计划，(2)整合经验学习和实习，(3)开发用于研究和教学的学习实验室，以及(4)开发联合学习和研究计划。参加新课程的HBCU学生将学习如何在课堂上使用数据科学和机器学习模块来解决现实世界的问题。他们还将在不列颠哥伦比亚大学和NCSU获得学年体验式学习和暑期研究机会。除了加强HBCU的STEM本科教育和研究，该项目还将使在STEM历史上代表性不足的学生提高他们的市场竞争力，并为那些对新兴数据科学和机器学习领域感兴趣的人创造可持续的工业实习机会。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。

Catalyst Projects provide support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to work towards establishing research capacity of faculty to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) undergraduate education and research. It is expected that the award will further the faculty member's research capability, improve research and teaching at the institution, and involve undergraduate students in research experiences. In collaboration with North Carolina State University (NCSU), Benedict College (BC) seeks to enhance the undergraduate curriculum and provide adequate knowledge, hands-on training, and certifications in data science and machine learning for HBCU students.The project’s four overarching objectives are to: (1) develop joint data science and machine learning programs, (2) integrate experiential learning and internships, (3) develop learning laboratories for research and teaching, and (4) develop joint learning and research programs. HBCU students taking the new proposed courses will learn how to solve real-world problems using data science and machine learning modules in the classroom. They will also be provided with academic year experiential learning and summer research opportunities at BC and NCSU. In addition to strengthening STEM undergraduate education and research at an HBCU, the project will also enable students historically underrepresented in STEM to improve their marketability and create sustainable industrial internships for those interested in emerging data science and machine learning fields.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.