Science & Mathematics Scholars Program at a Liberal Arts College

该项目旨在为学院生物、化学、计算机科学、地球和环境科学或数学专业的有学术天赋的本科生提供30个基于需要的奖学金。通过实地考察、与高中合作、开放参观和电子网络，正在招募三批学生。申请者的选择是基于成功的天赋和对科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)的兴趣。每个队列中的学生住在同一个宿舍，一起上课，并从事协作的、多学科的研究。教师和就业服务专家正在创建研讨会和STEM专业人员网络，以帮助学生进行职业安置。年度调查和对获奖者的采访探讨了对学术支持、建议、教学和对STEM职业承诺的深度的态度。智力优势：采用该学院成功的队列项目中使用的方法，该项目侧重于小组学习和基于探究的学习。改进的教育机会包括个别化指导、早期研究培训、使用现代实验室和计算机设备以及使用学院海洋研究船。这些机会为奖学金获得者提供了教育经验，使他们能够进入与STEM相关的工作。广泛的影响：该项目有助于更广泛地了解如何在一所小型私立文理学院吸引、尤其是如何留住STEM学科的有学术天赋的学生。该学院STEM专业的应届毕业生中有18%是少数族裔，65%是女性。因此，这个项目建立在一个大学项目的基础上，旨在确保历史上代表性不足的群体的参与。该项目的高潮是在学院举行的全州会议上，与STEM社区分享关于留住的研究结果。

This project is designed to provide 30 need-based scholarships for academically talented undergraduates majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Environmental Sciences, or Mathematics at the college. Three cohorts of students are being recruited through site visits, partnerships with high schools, open houses, and electronic networking. Selection of applicants is based upon aptitude for success and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students in each cohort live in the same residence hall, take classes together, and engage in collaborative, multidisciplinary research. Faculty and Career Services specialists are creating workshops and a network of STEM professionals to assist students with career placement. Annual surveys and interviews with recipients explore attitudes about academic support, advising, teaching, and depth of commitment to STEM careers. Intellectual Merit: Adapting methods used in successful cohort programs at the college, the project focuses on small-group and inquiry-based learning. Improved educational opportunities include individualized mentoring, early research training, utilization of modern laboratory and computing equipment, and the use of the college marine research vessel. These opportunities provide scholarship recipients with educational experiences that leverage them into STEM related employment.Broader Impact: This project contributes to a broad understanding of how to attract and, especially, how to retain academically talented students in STEM disciplines at a small, private liberal arts college. Recent graduates in STEM majors at the college include 18% minorities and 65% women. Thus, this project builds on a college program designed to assure the participation of historically underrepresented groups. The project culminates in a state-wide conference at the college to share findings on retention with the STEM community.