PROSTARS: PROgrams in STEM Academic Retention and Success

该项目的目标是减少20%的STEM流失，每年增加75名毕业生。 研究人员正在建立回归模型，以确定成功的主要预测因素和流失的关键指标，然后使用结果来指导他们的计划。 他们正在制定一个多层次的方案方法，以保留学生在STEM学科：（1）对学生数据进行完整的数据分析，（2）开发和教授关于学习工具和科学探索的第一年研讨会，（3）开发和运行夏桥计划，为入学学生的成功做好准备，（4）资助服务不足的STEM学生在一至二年级的暑期进行研究，（5）为三所本地社区学院的学生提供STEM研究机会，即罗克斯伯里社区学院、掩体希尔社区学院、和马萨诸塞州海湾社区学院，（6）建立一个妇女在科学和工程项目，支持本科妇女保留的元素，和（7）与教学卓越中心合作，举办教师培训和发展讲习班，重点是课程材料和访问者研讨会项目，以解决性别问题-STEM课程中的偏见和无效教学模式。最后，这些协调努力正通过一名外部顾问进行的全面评价工作进行监测，该顾问利用调查、访谈、重点小组和课堂观察。 更广泛的影响包括为服务不足的学生，即来自大型城市公立高中的学生，妇女和有风险的学生，所有这些学生的流失率都高于平均水平。

The project's goal is to reduce STEM attrition by 20%, leading to 75 additional graduates per year. The investigators are building regression models to determine the major predictors of success and the key indicators of attrition and then using the results to guide their program. They are developing a multi-tiered programmatic approach to the retention of students in the STEM disciplines by: (1) performing a complete data analysis of their student data, (2) developing and teaching first-year seminars on study tools and science exploration, (3) developing and running a summer bridge program to prepare entering students for success, (4) funding research experience for underserved STEM students during the summer between their first and second years, (5) extending STEM research opportunities to students at three local community colleges, viz. Roxbury Community College, Bunker Hill Community College, and Massachusetts Bay Community College, (6) building elements of a women in science and engineering program that supports the retention of undergraduate women, and (7) working with the Center for Teaching Excellence on faculty training and development workshops focused on curricular materials and on visitor seminar programs to address gender-bias and ineffective modes of instruction in STEM courses. Finally, these coordinated efforts are being monitored through a comprehensive evaluation effort conducted by an outside consultant who is using surveys, interviews, focus groups, and classroom observation. The broader impacts include special programs for underserved students, that is students from large urban public high schools, women, and at-risk students, all of whom have higher than average attrition rates.