Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Connections

刘易斯大学的科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）连接项目将通过化学、生物化学、物理和化学物理方面的高级培训，为STEM劳动力提供准备充分的毕业生。它旨在通过基于现实世界经验的体验式学习模式来加强物理科学教育。这些学者将在竞争激烈的环境中为就业和研究生学习提供坚实的基础。课程将特别强调与紧迫的社会问题相关的技能，如替代能源、信息存储的新材料、下一代医疗保健材料和先进的光学技术。学院将利用其与纳米技术公司、阿贡和费米国家实验室以及社区的关系，为学生提供体验式学习的机会。它还将扩大与实验室以及在这些先进领域工作的国内外公司的研究合作。外展和招聘战略将侧重于少数族裔的学术合格学生，从而促进STEM劳动力的多样性。该大学将通过STEM连接试点对其物理科学项目进行若干改进，为支持整个物理科学项目的未来扩展提供证据。STEM连接将通过一个创新的过程，强调在现实世界解决问题和劳动力需求的背景下的跨学科连接，为学生的物理科学职业生涯做好准备。一个特别的重点将放在跨学科领域，如纳米技术，材料科学和替代能源。将加强学者之间的联系，以提高同伴之间的支持和保留，以及学生/教师与外部机构之间的联系，以提高参与度。STEM连接将培养学生对跨学科科学，研究方法，以及如何将科学应用于现实世界问题的理解，以及批判性思维，沟通和协作的必要技能。外部评估将确定这些策略对入学、保留、毕业和参与的影响。广泛的教师和行政支持，最新的设施，以及重新设计的科学课程将提供资源，使大学能够实现其计划目标。招聘策略将包括利用学生和校友网络、网络营销和校园小型博览会，与当地高中生及其家长、老师和辅导员建立联系。学者将通过奖学金获得财政支持，并通过第一年基于项目的经验和与行业和社区解决问题相关的基础课程获得学术支持。

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Connections project at Lewis University will contribute well prepared graduates to the STEM workforce with advanced training in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and chemical physics. It is designed to enhance physical sciences education through an experiential learning model based on real-world experiences. The scholars will be provided with a solid foundation for employment and graduate school in a competitive landscape. Specific emphasis will be placed on skills relevant to pressing societal issues, such as alternative energy, novel materials for information storage, next generation health care materials, and advanced optical technology. The college will leverage its relationships with nanotechnology companies, Argonne and Fermi National Laboratories, and the community to provide students with experiential learning opportunities. It will also expand its research collaborations with the labs and both domestic and international companies working in these advanced fields. Outreach and recruitment strategies will focus on academically qualified students from minority populations and thereby contribute to the diversity of the STEM workforce. The university will pilot several enhancements to its physical science programs through STEM Connections, providing evidence to support future expansion throughout the physical science programs. STEM Connections will prepare students for physical science careers through an innovative process that emphasizes interdisciplinary connections in the context of real-world problem solving and workforce requirements. A special focus will be placed on interdisciplinary fields such as nanotechnology, materials science, and alternative energy. Connections will be strengthened among scholars to improve peer support and retention, and between students/faculty and outside institutions to improve engagement. STEM Connection will develop student understanding of interdisciplinary science, research methods, and how to apply science to real-world problems, as well as necessary skills in critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. An external evaluation will determine the impact of these strategies on enrollment, retention, graduation, and engagement. Extensive faculty and administrative support, up-to-date facilities, and a redesigned science curriculum will provide the resources to enable the university to accomplish its program objectives. Recruitment strategies will include using student and alumni networks, web-based marketing, and an on-campus mini-expo to connect with area high school students and their parents, teachers, and guidance counselors. Scholars will be supported financially through scholarships, and academically through first-year project-based experiences and foundational coursework linked to problem solving in industry and the community.