Mathematics as a FirstSTEP to Success in STEM

通过数学必修课程的困难往往使年轻的STEM专业学生望而却步，导致他们离开STEM去其他领域。 基于STEPMT的成功：加强中田纳西州立大学的本科生研究，1-B类数学作为STEM项目成功的第一步，重点是解决数学缺陷的干预措施，这些干预措施将新生STEM专业的学生置于密集的学术和学生支持环境中。FirstSTEP是一个基础广泛的项目，目标是来自所有STEM学科的数学准备不足的学生。 第一次，全日制大一学生，谁是基于数学ACT考试成绩的风险，参加一个为期两年的密集计划，其中包括一个数学桥梁计划之前，他们的大一，其次是个性化的学习计划，使用技术和人为干预。 学生在秋季学期完成微积分预科，沿着在春季学期完成微积分I，学年期间有一个学分的学期。一个学分的课程采用并实施了有效的专业研讨会模式，让学生学习与成功的STEM专业人士相关的知识和技能。在他们的大一和大二之间的夏天，队列参加一个月，密集的，基于探究的探索利用数学是连接到他们的主要研究领域。 在大二期间，学生的队列注册在一个学分的学期，旨在发展技能，为本科研究做好准备，并指导下一个新生队列。 此外，第一步建立在当前项目的基础上，旨在通过解决微积分前和微积分的高DFW率来提高所有STEM专业的毕业率。 教学法，如同行领导的团队学习，延伸课程和个性化的学习计划，在夏桥计划期间使用和测试，然后被整合到所有学生，STEM专业和其他专业的学生的微积分前和微积分I课程。 随着课程的变化，更多有抱负的STEM专业，谁是在数学准备不足，经验在他们的数学课程的成功，因此继续在他们的STEM研究。

Difficulties in passing required mathematics courses often discourage young STEM majors, leading them to leave STEM for other fields. Based on the success of STEPMT: STEPping up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee State University, the Type 1-B Mathematics as a FirstSTEP to Success in STEM project focuses on interventions addressing math deficiencies which place freshman STEM majors who are at risk of not graduating as STEM majors into an intensive academic and student support environment. FirstSTEP Is a broad-based project that targets students from all STEM disciplines who are underprepared in mathematics. First-time, full-time freshman students, who are at-risk based on mathematics ACT test scores, participate in an intensive two-year program that includes a mathematics bridge program before their freshman year followed by an individualized study plan using technology and human interventions. The cohorts of students complete pre-calculus in the fall semester and Calculus I in the spring semester along with a one-credit semester during the academic year. The one-credit course adopts and implements an effective professional seminar model in which students learn the knowledge and skills associated with successful STEM professionals. During the summer between their freshman and sophomore years, cohorts participate in a one-month, intensive, inquiry-based exploration utilizing mathematics that is connected to their major field of study. During the sophomore year, the cohorts of students enroll in a one-credit semester designed to develop skills to prepare them for undergraduate research and to mentor the next freshman cohorts. In addition, First STEP builds on current projects aimed at increasing graduation rates of all STEM majors by addressing the high DFW rates in pre-calculus and calculus. Pedagogies, such as Peer Led Team Learning, stretch courses, and individualized study plans, are used and tested during the summer bridge program and then are integrated into pre-calculus and Calculus I courses for all students, STEM majors and students in other majors. With changes in the courses, more aspiring STEM majors, who are underprepared in mathematics, experience success in their mathematics courses and consequently continue in their STEM studies.