Building Academic Success Early for STEM (BASE)

Title: Building Academic Success Early for STEM (BASE)

ABSTRACT

Nontechnical description

With support from the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI Program), this Track 1 pilot project, Building Academic Success Early for STEM (BASE for STEM), aims to enhance the learning experience of STEM undergraduates at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) by providing guidance through a student-centered approach that builds on students’ prior knowledge and experiences. TAMIU serves a student population that is more than 89% Hispanic and includes many first-generation college students and students from low-income backgrounds. Across the nation, Hispanic student four-year degree completion rates remain below desired levels, contributing to workforce shortages in STEM fields. Many students face academic, financial, and educational challenges; however, a particular challenge in recruiting and retaining Hispanic students in STEM is college readiness. The BASE for STEM project leadership team will identify and provide selected first-time freshman and transfer students who are not college ready with the motivational and learning skills necessary to complete their STEM academic curriculum through a multidisciplinary approach that focuses on (1) building learning skills and confidence based on students’ prior knowledge, (2) strengthening students’ academic confidence and sense of belonging, and (3) making learning relevant through a supportive, curriculum-based program. In addition to providing college mathematics and biology capacity-building workshop sessions, students will be guided in evidence-based learning skills that improve engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Through STEM-focused college readiness interventions, the BASE project aims to foster positive academic outcomes. Additionally, this pilot project will determine the extent to which participants met project goals and operational objectives, contributing to the body of knowledge on effective practices for improving enrollment and retention of STEM undergraduates. Overall, it is expected that the BASE project will increase enrollment and degree completion rates among TAMIU STEM students and positively impact their preparation for careers in the STEM workforce.

Technical description

The Track 1 pilot project, Building Academic Success Early for STEM (BASE for STEM), aims to implement student-centered teaching and learning strategies to improve the metacognitive skills and self-efficacy of first-time freshman and transfer students in STEM. The research design is both qualitative, through the collection of student and stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions, and quantitative, through the collection of student surveys and program assessment data. Specifically, the project team will recruit, prepare, and retain 30 first-time freshman and transfer students while providing academic learning and career readiness support strategies. The expected outcome is that 70% of participating students who receive the interventions will improve educational self-efficacy, mathematics and science readiness skills, and year-to-year persistence and retention in STEM fields. Results will be shared with stakeholders through reports disseminated via the BASE pilot project website, relevant state and national STEM and higher education conferences, and NSF annual meetings. The BASE pilot project is funded by the HSI Program, which aims to enhance undergraduate STEM education, broaden participation in STEM, and strengthen institutional capacity at HSIs.

Funded by National Science Foundation

2344971