PRISM: Positive Routes Into Science and Mathematics

Alma College PRISM项目名为进入科学和数学的积极途径，旨在通过积极保留计划增加STEM毕业生的数量，该计划创建了一个第一年的STEM学习社区，并通过在第一年的学习中专注于本科研究来吸引学生。这个学习社区是以一系列渐进的新生研讨会和研究机会为基础的。被选中的STEM学生被邀请在大一之前参加暑期研究体验。所有潜在的STEM学员将被邀请从学期前的PRISM研讨会开始他们的PRISM体验，该研讨会在秋季学期开始前为所有新学生举行的为期一周的迎新会议期间举行。PRISM研讨会将在秋季和冬季继续举行。这些研讨会是专门设计的，目的是让学生参与科学研究，并向他们介绍自然科学领域的兴奋和机会。ALMA独特的为期四周的春季学期被用来提供PRISM基于探究的课程，这些课程旨在提供直接的实验室和实地研究经验。然后，STEM学生可以在教员的指导下申请暑期研究机会。除了PRISM计划外，正在进行课程改革，特别是在新生一级，以创新地改进STEM课堂和实验室的教与学。已经创建了一个全学院范围的PRISM研究社区，以支持涉及学生和教师导师的各种级别的研究工作。为了吸引学生和教职员工加入研究社区，并扩大PRISM的覆盖范围，高中教师以及他们最优秀的高年级学生被邀请参加暑期研究团队。进入阿尔马的高中生通过参与研究活动和创建一个激动人心的愿景--一走进阿尔玛学院校园就加入一个专注于本科生研究的STEM学习社区--来招募他们加入PRISM项目。这个项目的设计是由不同的校园成员开发的，并根据受雇于其他校园的教职员工收到的专家意见进行设计。目前，很少有大学为一年级学生提供研究机会。阿尔玛学院的PRISM项目(部分或全部)有可能成为其他学院和大学的典范，特别是小型文理学院。

The Alma College PRISM project, Positive Routes Into Science and Mathematics, is designed to increase the number of STEM graduates through a positive retention program that creates a first-year STEM learning community and engages students by a focus on undergraduate research in the first year of study. This learning community is based upon a progressive series of freshman seminars and research opportunities. Selected STEM students are invited to participate in a summer research experience prior to their freshman year. All potential STEM enrollees will be invited to begin their PRISM experience with a pre-term PRISM seminar that occurs during the week long orientation session held for all new students preceding the start of the fall term. PRISM seminars will continue in the fall and winter terms. These seminars are especially designed to engage students in scientific inquiry and to introduce them to the excitement and opportunities available in the natural sciences. Alma's unique four-week spring term is being used to offer PRISM inquiry-based courses that are designed to provide direct laboratory and field research experience. STEM students may then apply for a summer research opportunity under the direction of a faculty member. In addition to the PRISM Program, curricular changes, especially at the freshman level, are being made to introduce innovative improvements in teaching and learning in the STEM classroom and laboratory. A college-wide PRISM research community has been created to support research efforts at a variety of levels involving students and faculty mentors. To attract students and faculty into the research community and extend the reach of PRISM, high school teachers, along with some of their best rising seniors, are being invited to participate in summer research teams. High school students entering Alma are recruited into the PRISM program by engaging them in research activities and by creating an exciting vision of joining a STEM learning community that focuses on undergraduate research as soon as they walk onto Alma College's campus. This design of this project has developed by a variety of campus constituents and from expert advice received by faculty members employed on other campuses. Few colleges are currently offering research opportunities to first year students. The Alma College PRISM program (either selective aspects or in its entirety) has the potential for becoming a model for other colleges and universities, especially small liberal arts colleges.