Increasing STEM Diversity through Engaging Undergraduate Student Research in Experiential and Innovative Forensic Science Contexts

该项目旨在通过利用法医学方面的经验性和创新性研究来提高学生在STEM中的参与度和成功程度，从而服务于国家利益。位于加州州立大学东湾的法医科学研究中心具有得天独厚的优势，使本科生能够获得大多数初级法医职位所需的法医经验、知识和技能。加州州立大学东湾分校是一所为拉美裔美国人服务的机构，也是一所亚裔美国人和太平洋岛民原住民服务机构，大多数学生认为这是第一代大学生。该项目的目标是通过与教职员工和从业人员的研究，让不同的本科生参与法医科学和调查，同时提供法医科学和STEM入门职位所需的技能和经验。该项目还将加强与当地刑事司法机构的伙伴关系，使从业人员能够与学生合作进行研究，并创造指导和建立联系的机会。为了培养年轻人继续考虑STEM职业的兴趣，学生们还将通过科学博览会和社区活动，通过适合年龄的实验和动手活动，完成与K-12和社区大学的接触，促进法医科学的发展。法医学是一个独特的交叉领域，需要包括刑事司法在内的多个科学领域的背景和教育。仅有基于课堂的培训往往不足以让学生为初级职业生涯做好准备，因为研究和体验式学习即使存在，也不等于需要雇用一年的经验。这个项目将通过在毕业前为本科生研究人员提供真实的案例经验来填补目前从业者参与的法医科学研究的空白。12名本科生研究人员将接触到悬案、法医学相关研究、会议出席和学术出版物，以确保他们为未来的职业生涯或研究生做好充分准备，最终使法医队伍多样化，减少证据积压。对该项目的评估将包括学生成功和留住本科生研究人员、扩大提供STEM教育的机构能力、提高学生进入劳动力市场时的资格，以及外展对STEM专业招生的影响。将为K-12学生开发基础法医科学课程，并将开源提供给教育工作者，使全国各地的学校能够将经过审查的法医科学材料纳入课堂。NSF IUSE：EDU计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生的STEM教育的有效性。该项目还得到了NSF改善本科生STEM教育：拉美裔服务机构计划的支持，该计划旨在加强本科生STEM教育，扩大对STEM的参与，并建设HSIS的能力。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。

This project aims to serve the national interest by utilizing experiential and innovative research in forensic science to increase student engagement and success in STEM. The Forensic Science Research Center at California State University East Bay is uniquely positioned to enable undergraduate students to gain experience, knowledge, and skills in forensic science required for most entry-level forensic science positions. California State University East Bay is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, where most students identify as first-generation college students. The project goals are to engage diverse undergraduate students in forensic science and investigations through research with faculty and practitioners while providing the skillsets and experience needed for entry-level positions in forensic science and STEM. The project will also enhance partnerships with local criminal justice agencies to allow practitioners to work with students on research and create mentorship and networking opportunities. To create a continued interest and empower youth to consider STEM careers, students will also complete outreach to K-12 and community colleges through science fairs and community events promoting forensic science with age-appropriate experiments and hands-on activities. Forensic science is a unique, intersectional field that requires background and education in multiple areas of sciences including criminal justice. Classroom-based training, alone, is often not enough to prepare students for entry-level careers, as research and experiential learning, if present, do not equate to a year of experience needed to be hired. This project will fill a current gap of practitioner-involved forensic science research by providing undergraduate student researchers with real case experience prior to graduation. Twelve undergraduate student researchers will be exposed to cold cases, forensic science related research, conference attendance, and academic publications to ensure they are well-prepared for future careers or graduate school, ultimately diversifying the forensic science workforce and reducing evidence backlog. Evaluation of the project will include student success and retention of undergraduate student researchers, the expansion of institutional capacity to provide STEM education, the improvement of qualifications for students when entering the workforce, and the impact of outreach on enrollment to STEM majors. Foundational forensic science coursework will be developed for K-12 students that will be provided open-source to educators, allowing schools nationwide to incorporate vetted forensic science material into their classrooms. The NSF IUSE: EDU Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. This project is also supported by the NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions program, which aims to enhance undergraduate STEM education, broaden participation in STEM, and build capacity at HSIs.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.