Targeted Infusion Project: The Impact of Infusing Soft Matter Into Undergraduate General and Physical Chemistry Courses

历史黑人学院和大学本科项目(HBCU-UP)通过有针对性的灌输项目，支持基于证据的创新模式和方法的开发、实施和研究，以改善HBCU本科生的准备和成功，使他们能够攻读STEM研究生课程和/或职业。北卡罗来纳中央大学(NCCU)的这个项目旨在通过在两门把关化学课程中注入软物质的主题，来发展聚合物科学的综合本科教育、培训和研究计划。NCCU是三角材料研究科学与工程中心(MRSEC)内的四个合作伙伴之一，但该协会受到限制，因为NCCU几乎没有聚合物研究和培训，也没有正式的聚合物课程。在基础化学课程中融入聚合物科学，为本科生提供研究经验，以及加强与NSF三角MRSEC的现有关系，将对NCCU的学生和教职员工产生直接影响。拟议的项目将有助于提高学生的留存率，从而激励这些学生继续攻读研究生课程和/或从事STEM学科的职业。该项目的总体目标是在普通化学和物理化学课程中注入聚合物内容。具体目标是：1)开发专注于聚合物的在线视频内容，将其作为吸引人的主题，以补充普通化学和物理化学课程本科生的ACS核心内容；以及2)通过普通和物理化学课程的实验室部分，让本科生参与聚合物研究。长期目标是在NCCU创建一个综合的聚合物教育、培训和研究计划，与软物质专业合作伙伴建立牢固的联系。这将有助于提高学生在看门人课程中的表现，并通过他们的普通和物理化学实验室让学生接触到聚合物研究。

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) through Targeted Infusion Projects supports the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based innovative models and approaches for improving the preparation and success of HBCU undergraduate students so that they may pursue STEM graduate programs and/or careers. The project at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) seeks to develop an integrated undergraduate education, training, and research initiative in polymer science by infusing topics on soft matter into two gatekeeper chemistry courses. NCCU is one of four partners within the Triangle Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), but the association is limited since there is little polymer research and training and no formal polymer course offerings at NCCU. The infusion of polymer science in foundational chemistry courses, the provision of research experiences to undergraduates, and the strengthening of the existing relationship with the NSF Triangle MRSEC will have a direct effect on students and faculty at NCCU. The proposed project will help improve student retention and thereby inspire these students to pursue graduate studies and/or careers in STEM disciplines.The overall goal of the project is to infuse polymer content into the General Chemistry and Physical Chemistry courses. The specific goals are to: 1) develop online video content focused on polymers as an engaging topic to supplement ACS core content for undergraduates enrolled in general chemistry and physical chemistry courses; and 2) engage undergraduates in polymer research through the laboratory components of their general and physical chemistry courses. The long-term goal is to create an integrated polymer education, training, and research initiative at NCCU with strong connections to soft matter expertise partners. This will help improve student performance in gatekeeper courses, and expose students to polymer research through their general and physical chemistry laboratories.