Rewarding Achievement in Mathematics and Science (RAMS) Scholarships

圣爱德华兹大学的一个教职员工团队正在增加有经济需求的有学术天赋的学生的数量，他们获得生物信息学、环境和法医化学、计算机科学和数学的学士学位。数学与科学成就奖励项目(RAMS)通过参与一个紧密联系的学习者社区，向保留为STEM专业的学生提供14个奖学金。这一学生群体通过一系列支助机制在学业和社交方面有所发展，其中包括：(A)一年级研讨会，(B)补充指导和同行主导的小组学习，(C)科学生活和学习社区，(D)科学演讲者系列，(E)暑期研究，和(F)在当地工业伙伴的实习机会。PI团队正在从不同的学生中招募人才，其中35%的STEM专业学生是西班牙裔。这个项目在两个方面产生了广泛的影响。首先，通过评估和评估产生的数据支持这样一种基本原理，即通过强调社区建设的综合学生发展计划，可以在STEM领域实现学生的高保留率。形成性和终结性评估侧重于评估项目招收、留住和研究生的能力。其次，项目成果的传播为留住STEM领域的学生提供了一种模式，将他们纳入一个紧密联系的学习者社区。该项目团队正在他们的许多地区和国家财团中展示他们的工作，包括新美国学院和大学、德克萨斯州拉美裔服务机构和德克萨斯州天主教学院和大学。

A team of faculty and administrators at St. Edwards University is increasing the number of academically talented students with demonstrated financial need who earn baccalaureate degrees in the bioinformatics, environmental and forensic chemistry, computer science, and mathematics. The Rewarding Achievement in Mathematics and Science (RAMS) project is providing 14 scholarships to students who are being retained as STEM majors through participating in a close-knit community of learners. This student cohort is developing academically and socially through an array of support mechanisms, including: (a) a first year seminar, (b) supplemental instruction and peer-led team learning, (c) a science living and learning community, (d) the Science Speakers Series, (e) summer research, and (f) internships with local industrial partners. The PI team is recruiting from a diverse pool of students in which 35% of their STEM majors are Hispanic.This project is generating a broad impact in two ways. First, data generated through assessment and evaluation is supporting the rationale that high retention of students in STEM fields can be achieved through a comprehensive program of student development that emphasizes community-building. Formative and summative evaluation is focusing on assessment of the project's ability to recruit, retain, and graduate students. Secondly, dissemination of the project results is providing a model for retaining students in the STEM fields by integrating them into a close-knit community of learners. The project team is presenting their work throughout their many regional and national consortia including the New American Colleges and Universities, the Texas Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and the Catholic Colleges and Universities of Texas.