HSI Pilot Project: Applying a Research-Based Learning Approach to Enhance Biomanufacturing Skills

在改进的本科生STEM教育：拉美裔服务机构(HSI计划)的支持下，这一Track 1试点项目旨在让学生接触到德克萨斯大学格兰德河谷大学的生物技术基础知识。在美国，对生物制造劳动力的需求相当大，而且还在不断增长。生物制造是高薪工作的一个来源，可以支持强大的供应链。该项目以研究为基础的方法将使用积极的学习实践，让学生在三个学期中参与一系列引人入胜的体验。学生将在确定生物制造问题、从现有来源收集信息、开展研究活动、分析实验数据和提出合理解决方案方面发挥主导作用。通过将重点从被动学习转变为主动参与，这种方法旨在鼓励STEM参与、合作、批判性思维和理论知识的实际应用，以应对现实世界的研究挑战。学生将具备在不同领域成为问题解决者和持久学习者所需的技能。该项目的目标是培养一支知识渊博、积极参与和授权的劳动力队伍，致力于应用生物制造技术来解决食品和农业领域的挑战。开发环境可持续和成本效益高的提高生物质的方法将作为研究主题加以介绍。学生将通过为期12周的春季系列研讨会获得全面的生物技术知识。然后，他们将在夏季花8周的时间学习如何设计实验、操作设备、分析数据、报告结果，并使用理论知识来解决现实世界的问题。最后，秋季将组织一个为期六周的研讨会，展示研究发现并收集反馈。该项目将举办一个职业研讨会，旨在帮助学生为研究生院或劳动力做准备。通过参与这个项目，学生将提高他们进入STEM劳动力的能力，并为社会做出宝贵的贡献。除了促进可持续经济，该项目还打算扩大STEM学生对生物制造的参与，从而培养他们的批判性思维和合作能力。项目评价工作将确定有效的做法，并使项目小组能够改进有希望的方法，加强其他机构采用的潜力。该项目由HSI计划资助，该计划旨在加强本科生STEM教育，扩大对STEM的参与，并建设HSIS的能力。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

With support from the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI Program), this Track 1 pilot project aims to expose students to fundamental knowledge of biotechnologies at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. There is a considerable and growing demand for a biomanufacturing workforce in the United States. Biomanufacturing serves as a source of high-paying jobs and can support strong supply chains. This project's research-based approach will use active learning practices to involve students in a sequence of engaging experiences across three semesters. Students will take a leading role in identifying a biomanufacturing problem, gathering information from existing sources, conducting research activities, analyzing experimental data, and proposing reasonable solutions. By shifting the emphasis from passive learning to active engagement, this approach aims to encourage STEM participation, collaboration, critical thinking, and the practical application of theoretical knowledge to address real-world research challenges. Students will be equipped with the skills necessary to become problem solvers and enduring learners in a variety of fields.The goal of this project is to foster a knowledgeable, engaged, and empowered workforce committed to applying biomanufacturing technologies to solve challenges in food and agricultural fields. The development of environmentally sustainable and cost-effective methods for upgrading biomass will be introduced as a research theme. Students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of biotechnologies through a twelve-week spring seminar series. They will then spend eight weeks during the summer learning how to design experiments, operate equipment, analyze data, report results, and employ theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems. Finally, a six-week symposium will be organized in the fall to showcase research discoveries and gather feedback. The project will host a career workshop designed to assist students in preparing for graduate school or the workforce. By engaging in this program, the students will enhance their ability to enter the STEM workforce and make valuable contributions to society. In addition to promoting a sustainable economy, the project intends to expand STEM students' involvement in biomanufacturing, thereby cultivating their capacity for critical thinking and collaboration. Project evaluation efforts will identify effective practices and allow the project team to refine promising approaches, strengthening the potential for adoption at other institutions. This project is funded by the HSI Program, which aims to enhance undergraduate STEM education, broaden participation in STEM, and build capacity at HSIs.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.