Catalyst Project-Life STEM: Enhancing the Undergraduate Biology Curriculum to Increase Student Engagement

历史上的黑人学院和大学本科课程（HBCU-UP）支持开发，实施和研究基于证据的创新模式和方法，以提高HBCU本科生的准备和成功，使他们可以追求STEM研究生课程和/或职业。通过这个为期一年的项目，Tougaloo学院旨在通过吸引教师和学生来提高学生对生物科学的参与度和保留率。拟议的项目将加强课程在第一年普通生物学实验室课程，更多的研究为基础的活动。生物学教师将与学生合作，在生物科学中创建一个学习社区，以加强核心课程的保留。总体成果将是通过为本科生提供生物学方面的坚实基础来加强STEM管道。Tougaloo学院生物系将对加强课程和课外活动的计划进行深入审查。这个过程的一个重要组成部分将是开发一个新的介绍生物学实验室，使用基于研究的活动。该计划的评估将包括感知调查和学术地位，以确保计划的有效性。重点是增加科学的理解，普通生物学实验室的教师将采取战略，以提高保留率。教师将得到发展机会的支持，以加强教学和研究。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) 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. Through this one-year project, Tougaloo College seeks to increase student engagement and retention in the Biology sciences by engaging both faculty and students. The proposed project will strengthen curriculum in the first year General Biology laboratory course with more research based activities. Biology faculty members will work with students to create a learning community in the biological sciences to strengthen retention in core classes. The overall outcome will be to strengthen the STEM pipeline by providing undergraduates with a strong foundation in Biology. The Tougaloo College Biology department will undergo an intensive review of programs to strengthen curricular and co-curricular activities. An important component of this process will be to develop a new introductory Biology laboratory, using research based activities. Assessments of this program will include perception surveys and academic standing to ensure program effectiveness. With a focus on increasing scientific understanding, instructors of the General Biology laboratories will adopt strategies to increase retention rates. Faculty will be supported with developmental opportunities that enhance teaching and research. Students will be provided mentoring and support to increase academic success in critical classes.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.