Catalyst Project: Research Experiences to Accelerate Chemistry

Catalyst项目为传统黑人学院和大学（HBCU）提供支持，以建立教师的研究能力，以加强科学，技术，工程和数学本科教育和研究。预计该奖项将进一步提高教师的研究能力，提高学院的研究和教学水平，并让本科生参与研究经验。德克萨斯南方大学寻求在化学II实验课程中实施基于项目的学习模式，为大一学生提供基于课堂的研究经验，并在有指导的暑期研究项目中为学生提供支持。由于他们的参与，预计学生将获得21世纪STEM职业所需的能力。德克萨斯南方大学的这个项目旨在积极影响学生对STEM教育的态度，并提高学生对STEM学科的坚持。目标是：1)对本科一年级学生的普通化学实验课程进行改革，采用基于项目的学习方法；2)每年让来自代表性不足群体的本科生参加为期6周的暑期强化学习和研究项目。学生将通过使用脚手架方法指导分析过程，在这个过程中，他们提出一个问题，考虑抽样，准备分析样本，分析样本，报告数据，评估结果，得出结论，并确定未来研究的需求。在外部评估的指导下，预计项目成果不仅有助于理解该计划的成功，而且有助于利用基于项目的学习方法为代表性不足的群体做准备，保留STEM学科的学生，以及学生追求STEM的高级学位和职业。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。

Catalyst Projects provide support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to work towards establishing research capacity of faculty to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics 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. Texas Southern University seeks to implement a project-based learning model in the Chemistry II laboratory course to provide Freshmen students classroom-based research experiences, as well as provide support students in a mentored summer research program. As a result of their participation, it is anticipated that students would acquire 21st century competencies needed for careers in STEM.The project at Texas Southern University seeks to positively impact student attitudes towards STEM education and increase student persistence in STEM disciplines. The objectives are to 1) to reform the General Chemistry laboratory course using project-based learning methods for first year undergraduate students; and 2) to immerse undergraduate students from underrepresented groups annually in an intensive 6-week summer enhanced learning and research program. Students will be directed through the analytical process by using the scaffold methodology, in which they formulate a question, consider sampling, prepare samples for analysis, analyze the sample, report data, evaluate results, draw conclusions, and determine the needs for future research. The project outcomes, guided by an external evaluation, are expected to contribute to understanding not only the success of the program, but add to the knowledge base of the preparation of underrepresented groups using project-based learning methods, retention of students in STEM disciplines, and student pursuit of advanced degrees and careers in STEM.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.