Leveraging IINSPIRE-LSAMP Iowa Illinois Nebraska STEM Partnership to Develop Summer Bridge Programs for Fostering STEM Identity Jim Swartz--Grinnell College, Sharmin Sikich--Doane, University, Carmen Jones- - Iowa State University, Angela McKinney--Nebraska Wesleyan University, LeAnn Faidley--Wartburg College Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. IINSPIRE-LSAMP is supported by NSF Award Number: HRD-11619654, 2016-2021. Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612. IINSPIRE Alliance Overview • IINSPIRE: Iowa Illinois Nebraska STEM Partnership for Innovation in Research and Education • NSF LSAMP Program: Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation • Alliance among 16 two-year and four-year colleges and universities: • To broaden the participation of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the Midwest. • To support students, increase their success, and provide them with academic, research, training, and mentoring opportunities. • NSF Grant • In our second 5-year grant 2 IINSPIRE Alliance Institutions A. Augustana College B. Des Moines Area Community College C. Doane University D. Eastern Iowa Community College District E. Grinnell College F. Hawkeye Community College G. Iowa State University H. Iowa Valley Community College District I. Kirkwood Community College J. Little Priest Tribal College K. Luther College L. Nebraska Wesleyan University M. University of Iowa • 3 Iowa Regents’ universities N. University of Northern Iowa • 5 community colleges/districts in O. Upper Iowa University Iowa and 1 tribal college in Nebraska P. Wartburg College • 7 private colleges/universities in Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska 3 NSF Alliance Goals • Increase individual student retention and progression to baccalaureate degrees for underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. • Enable successful transfer of underrepresented students from 2-year and 4-year institutions in STEM programs. • Increase access to high quality undergraduate research experiences. • Facilitate seamless transition of underrepresented students into STEM graduate programs. 4 Goals of Professional Development Activities • Encourage and enable faculty and staff to fulfill the goals of the alliance and in particular their individual and campus goals related to the alliance goals. • Provide some resource materials for campuses using precedents from within the alliance and beyond • Assist faculty and staff from the alliance in working collaboratively to develop approaches and materials to use to further their goals. • Facilitate sharing of accomplishments and materials developed in a way that they can inspire and be used by others. 5 Areas of Focus Thus Far • Summer Bridging Programs • Building a Sense of Community • Supporting the Whole Student • Using Societal Issues to Recruit and Retain STEM Students • Authentic Inquiry and Research-like Experiences • Using JiT approaches for Quantitative Skills in STEM 6 Overall Approach • Identify common areas of interest in program development or other improvement • Identify individuals or programs within or outside our alliance with expertise • Offer workshops to both present and engage participants in collaborative development • Find additional resources • Assist in collaboration and in dissemination of outcomes 7 Summer Bridging Programs It was a priority of our first grant to leverage the Alliance to develop summer bridge programs on multiple institutions. Iowa State University and Grinnell College had long offered quite different programs. The Alliance gathered information on those and other programs at non-Alliance institutions and offered several workshops for interested participants. 8 New Bridge Programs • Doane University—Sharmin Sikich • Iowa State University—Carmen Jones • Nebraska Wesleyan University—Angela McKinney • Wartburg College—LeAnn Faidley https://serc.carleton.edu/lsamp/bridging.html 9 2019 Bridge to Science and Mathematics Program Doane University Dr. Sharmin Sikich Associate Professor of Chemistry IINSPIRE-LSAMP Campus Director [email protected] Introduction to the Bridge Program . Build community for underrepresented students interested in STEM . Provide students skills to succeed in college . Began in 2012 to reach out to diverse students as part of our NSF LSAMP program and expanded in recent years to be more inclusive . Recruiting done through email, regular mail . Important for building LSAMP cohort Format . Students move in 3-4 days before the regular move in date for new freshman . Most activities during the day Goals of Doane’s Bridge program . Create community for new students . Break down barriers with faculty . Provide in-depth introduction to campus services . Introduce students to research and careers in STEM . Math/science prep Accomplishing Goals Day 1: The start of the community. Day 2: Developing skills, mentor relationships, and research knowledge. Day 3: Careers in STEM and campus support Day 4: Developing skills and relationships with faculty Example Activity: Lock boxes for prizes . Students work with faculty to solve problems . Lock boxes hidden throughout Lied – only clues given for their location Evaluations . Positive feedback . Most negative comments are about time . Students feel better acquainted with campus . Importance of research Bridge and LSAMP Program Successes . Participants engaging in research early . Acceptance to other research programs: NSF-IRES, UNMC COPH, REUs, Doane DIVAS . More than tripled the number of URM STEM students getting support for research projects Bridge Students attend Conferences . IINSPIRE-LSAMP . ABRCMS, LSMCE, SACNAS . ACS . INBRE . NCUR . NAS Rise-UP Program Carmen Jones, Graduate Assistant, IINSPIRE LSAMP RISEUP • The primary goal is to assist community college students as they prepare to transfer to 4-year institutions • Participants gain valuable research experience in a research laboratory based on their STEM interests • Participation in professional development workshops • Paired with research mentor • Present posters at summer research symposium Program Benefits • Networking with a community of peers, mentors, faculty, and administrators in STEM • Participate in professional and educational development activities • Presenting research at professional conferences and symposiums RISEUP Program Criteria • College GPA of 3.0 or higher • Member of an underrepresented group • Courses in STEM discipline • Recommendations from advisors or CC faculty • Must be able to commute to Iowa State • Participants must be funded by their home institution • Typically 6-8 students are admitted RISEUP Application Process • submit application by deadline • receive admission notification by email • paired with faculty mentor • faculty member and student correspond • receive information on orientation • submit research project information form RISEUP Overview of summer activities • Faculty mentors confirmed • Research Ethics training • Summer orientation • 24 hours/week in lab • Professional development/communication workshops • Weekly socials • Present research project at IINSPIRE LSAMP Research Symposium RISEUP Additional Benefits • Eligible to receive funding support for: participation in summer research experiences and/or internships • Funding for research supplies • Eligible for travel funding for conferences and professional meetings RISEUP Nebraska Wesleyan University— SUMMER TRANSITION PROGRAM Angela McKinney, PhD, Professor of Biology Email: [email protected] LSAMP AT NWU Main Goals & Objectives Increase the number of underrepresented minority students graduating in STEM Assist underrepresented minorities in building a science identity Provide opportunities for increased faculty-student engagement, peer mentoring, internship, & research opportunities SUMMER TRANSITION PROGRAM 4-day program for all incoming first-year students of color interested in STEM Held the last week in July Welcome reception for parents and students Current LSAMP students serve as mentors Academic skill development workshops Field trips & laboratory exercises Community-building activities Reflection presentations SUMMER TRANSITION PROGRAM CHALLENGES FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS Academic Rigor Study & time management Self Advocacy Identify need Identify & seek resources Stress Management Counseling Center to support system First 5 visits free ($10) Home Sickness HOW FACULTY & STAFF SUPPORT OUR PROGRAM Intrusive advising & student support Faculty mentoring Faculty-student research opportunities at NWU & elsewhere Workshop development or teaching for the summer transition program Participating in monthly meetings & activities throughout the academic year, including annual Alliance conference STUDENT PERSPECTIVE “The LSAMP Transition Program was the absolute best time of my life. I met great people, made amazing friends, and had a wonderful time. Everyone made the idea of college more exciting.” - Stephanie Alvarado STUDENT PERSPECTIVE “The LSAMP Transition Program is an indescribable blessing. Three days committed to blossoming new friendships with fellow minority students, engaging with faculty who care for you far beyond the classroom,