LaTechSTEP: Louisiana Tech's STEM Talent Expansion Program

化学、计算机科学、工程、数学、物理等专业的毕业生每年从220人增加到300人，增加了36%。大学和高中教师的跨学科团队正在为高中生创造工程和科学探索和设计项目。一个为期五周的暑期充实计划正在帮助大约一半没有资格学习微积分的大学新生提高他们的数学技能。除数学学习外，该课程的学生还选修英语、历史、社会学或艺术鉴赏等三学分的通识课程。挽留措施包括由STEM专业大二和大三学生进行同侪指导，以及要求使用基于网络的个性化学习助手ALEKS。ALEKS使用诊断测试来识别学生的个人弱点，并在个人最需要帮助的领域提供实践问题。补充教学也有助于提高STEM专业在大一之后的保留率。该项目是先前工程与科学综合课程倡议的产物，旨在帮助学生建立数学、科学和工程之间的联系。

A combination of high school science, recruitment and retention activities are increasing the number of graduates in chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics and physics by 36 percent from 220 to 300 graduates annually. Interdisciplinary teams of university and high school faculty are creating engineering and science explorations and design projects for high school students. A five week summer enrichment program is aiding the approximately half of the entering university class that is not qualified to study calculus to improve their mathematics skills. In addition to the mathematics studies, the students in the program are also enrolling in a three credit general education course selected from English, history, sociology or art appreciation.Retention efforts include peer mentoring by sophomore and junior STEM majors, and the required use of ALEKS, a web-based individualized learning assistant. ALEKS uses diagnostic testing to identify a student's individual weaknesses and provides practice problems in those areas where the individual needs the greatest help. Supplemental instruction is also contributing to the increased retention rate in STEM majors following the freshmen year. The project is an outgrowth of a previous Integrated Engineering and Science Curricula initiative designed to help students make connections between mathematics, science and engineering.