Preparing Diverse STEM Researchers to Address Global Challenges

美国国家科学基金会（NSF）坚定地致力于扩大学生在科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）领域的参与，从这些学科中代表性不足的群体中脱颖而出，为会议和研讨会提供资金。为此，美国科学促进会（AAAS）将于2020年、2021年和2022年举办以“培养多样化的STEM研究人员，应对全球挑战”为主题的STEM新兴研究人员国家（ERN）会议。会议将包括来自以下NSF项目的本科生和研究生：历史上的黑人学院和大学-本科项目、路易斯·斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟、科学技术卓越研究中心、研究生教育和教授联盟、部落学院和大学项目、西班牙裔服务机构项目和本科生研究经验。但是，任何希望参加会议的学生都可以申请。估计每年参加会议的人数为1,100人；包括750名学生和350名教师和管理人员。与大多数其他专业学会不同的是，本次会议允许所有NSF支持学科的报告，以及跨学科和跨学科研究领域的报告。此计划旨在：提供机会增强学生对STEM的社区意识和归属感；为学生提供科学交流和其他专业技能，为STEM劳动力的成功提供帮助；并传播资源和最佳实践，以支持学生研究人员和教师。为期三天的会议将包括本科生和研究生的海报和口头报告；全体会议，由STEM专业人员讨论他们的教育和职业道路，以及在STEM劳动力中导航职业的经验教训；讲习班侧重于申请和成功完成研究生课程以及为研究生院寻找资金的策略；以及职业准备研讨会。该项目将包括社区建设、专业发展和传播活动，涉及三个领域，为学生提供机会，在特定的STEM教育和研究背景下建立网络、联系和关系，以提高他们在STEM领域的学术和社会资本。第一个支柱将支持社区，培养STEM的归属感，包括面对面的网络，接触STEM的榜样，以及接触专业的STEM联系人。第二个支柱侧重于专业发展，包括电子指导，STEM职业和演讲技能网络研讨会，以及ERN会议期间的技能发展会议。第三个支柱是传播，利用欧洲研究联盟网站分享和推广与支持学生研究人员和教师有关的资源、机会和最佳实践。项目以形成性评价和总结性评价为指导；还有一个顾问委员会。评估计划包括研究问题，旨在了解这些会议如何促进学生在STEM方面的效率。该项目由生物科学、计算机与信息科学与工程、教育与人力资源、工程、地球科学、数学与物理科学等部门共同资助。主要资金来自人力资源开发部的以下项目：研究生教育和教授联盟、科学技术卓越研究中心、路易斯·斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟和历史上的黑人学院和大学本科项目。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In its strong commitment to broaden the participation of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields from groups underrepresented in those disciplines, the National Science Foundation (NSF) provides funding for conferences and workshops. To this end, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) will hold the Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conferences in STEM in 2020, 2021 and 2022 with the theme of "Preparing Diverse STEM Researchers to Address Global Challenges." The conferences will include undergraduate and graduate students from the following programs at the NSF: Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program, Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation, Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology, Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, Tribal Colleges and Universities Program, Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, and Research Experiences for Undergraduates. However, any student wishing to participate in the conference, is encouraged to apply. Estimated annual conference participation is 1,100; including 750 students and 350 faculty and administrators. This conference, unlike those of most other professional societies, allows for presentations in all NSF supported disciplines, as well as presentations in interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary areas of study. This project seeks to: provide opportunities to enhance students' sense of community and belonging in STEM; provide students with science communication and other professional skills for STEM workforce success; and disseminate resources and best practices to support student researchers and faculty. The three-day conference will include undergraduate and graduate student posters and oral presentations; plenary sessions that feature STEM professionals discussing their educational and career pathways and lessons learned about navigating a career in the STEM workforce; workshops focused on strategies for applying for and succeeding in graduate programs and finding funding for graduate school; and career preparation workshops. The project will include community building, professional development, and dissemination activities in three areas of engagement to provide students opportunities to build networks, connections and relationships within specific STEM education and research contexts to enhance their academic and social capital in STEM. The first pillar will support the community and foster a sense of belonging in STEM and includes in-person networking, exposure to STEM role models, and exposure to professional STEM contacts. The second pillar focuses on professional development and includes e-mentoring, STEM career and presentation skills webinars, and skills development sessions during the ERN conference. The third pillar, dissemination, uses the ERN website to share and promote resources, opportunities and best practices related to supporting student researchers and faculty. The project is guided by formative and summative evaluation; as well by an advisory board. The evaluation plan includes research questions designed to build knowledge in how these conferences contribute to students' efficacy in STEM.The project is co-funded by programs in the Directorates of Biological Sciences, Computer and Information Science & Engineering, Education and Human Resources, Engineering, Geosciences, and Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Major funding contributions come from the following programs in the Division of Human Resource Development: Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology, Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Undergraduate Program.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.