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 for 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 via a student-centered approach based on their cultural knowledge and prior experiences. TAMIU serves a student population that is more than 89% Hispanic and includes many diverse and marginalized groups such as first-generation college and low-income students. Across the nation, the Hispanic student four-year degree completion rate remains low, creating a widening gap in the diversity of the STEM workforce. Minority students face various racial, ethnic and economic barriers; however, a particular challenge in recruiting and retaining Hispanic students in STEM fields is their lack of 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 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’ sense of identity and cultural capital, and 3) making learning contextual and relevant through a supportive, curriculum-based program. In addition to providing college mathematics and biology capacity building workshop sessions, students will be guided in culturally responsive learning skills that improve student engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Through STEM-infused college readiness interventions, the BASE project aims to foster a positive impact on learning and STEM diversity. Additionally, this pilot project will determine the extent to which the participants met the project goals and operational objectives, which will then add to the body of knowledge on best practices to improve enrollment and retention of minority STEM undergraduates. Overall, it is expected that the BASE project will increase the enrollment and degree completion rates of TAMIU STEM students and will have a positive impact on their sense of belonging to the future STEM workforce.

Technical description

Track 1 pilot project Building Academic Success Early for STEM (BASE for STEM) aims to embed culturally responsive teaching strategies to improve the metacognitive skills and self-efficacy of minority first-time freshman and transfer students in STEM. The research design is both qualitative via the collection of student and stakeholder interviews and focus groups discussions, and quantitative via 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 them culturally responsive academic learning and career readiness support strategies. The expected outcome is that 70% of the participating students who receive the interventions will gain 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 designated BASE pilot project website, pertinent state, and national STEM and HSI higher educational conferences, and NSF annual meetings. The BASE pilot project is funded by the HSI Program, which aims to enhance undergraduate STEM education, broaden STEM participation, and build capacities at HSIs.

Funded by National Science Foundation

2344971