SISTEM – Student Interactions with STEM at UNLV

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number IIA-1301726. SISTEM – Student Interactions with STEM at UNLV 2016 coNVerge: College Access and Success for All Nevadans December 9, 2016 Dr. Erica Marti, Dr. Jaci Batista

Alignment to Conference Themes iNVolve: • Informing students, parents, community members about STEM careers • Student participation eNVision: • Opportunity for students to gain knowledge of STEM careers • Motivation for college attendance and enrollment in STEM disciplines

Presentation Objectives • Explanation of SISTEM program • Student population • Challenges faced • Outcomes • Future research • Discussion SISTEM Student Interactions with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Program Background • Purpose / Why • History • Funding SISTEM Student Interactions with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Program Background • Purpose / Why • History • Funding

Program Background • National Science Foundation EPSCoR* Program • EPSCoRis a program to stimulate research capacity and competitiveness in states which receive comparatively less federal funding. • *Experimental Program to Stimulate • Competitive Research

Program Background 4 Main Goals Nexus Research: Linkages − among solar power, water, and the environment.

Program Goals Primary • Increase awareness and excitement about the STEM disciplines • Knowledge of various STEM careers • Knowledge of skills needed for STEM careers • Knowledge of post-secondary STEM education • Increase motivation and commitmentfor STEM • Context: diversity Secondary • Increase motivation to attend college • Establish friendships with like-minded students

Program Format • 5 Wednesday evenings ** Repeated Spring and Fall through Spring 2018 ** • 2 hours, 6:00-8:00 pm • 30 minute dinner • Two 40 minute presentations • Diversity • Student population (race, high schools all over Las Vegas) • STEM topics • Speakers (gender, race)

Program Format Schedule • Icebreaker • Dinner • Lightning talk • 2 presentations

Program Format Schedule • Icebreaker • Dinner • Lightning talk • 2 presentations Financial Aid Fraternity & Sorority Life Multicultural Program Solar Decathlon

Program Format Schedule • Icebreaker • Dinner • Lightning talk • 2 presentations

Program Format • Survey (pre and post) • Optional Activities • Give-a-ways, Raffle, Certificate – STEM interest and motivation

Program Format • Survey (pre and post) • Optional Activities • Give-a-ways, Raffle, Certificate – Lab tour, College Admissions

Program Format • Survey (pre and post) • Optional Activities • Give-a-ways, Raffle, Certificate

Implementation • Logistics • Location • Filming** • Parking passes • Speaker recruitment • Varied backgrounds (Academic, Government/Municipal, Businesses) • Student recruitment • Entire Las Vegas Valley ** Videos will be made available at http://www.sensor.nevada.edu/NRDC/

Implementation • Logistics • Location • Filming** • Parking passes • Speaker recruitment • Varied backgrounds (Academic, Government/Municipal, Businesses) • Student recruitment • Entire Las Vegas Valley CCSD News Database

Implementation

Student Population 40 students accepted 18 High schools represented (CCSD, Charter, Private)

Challenges • Speaker recruitment • Student recruitment • Transportation • Engagement • Retention Availability Preparation time Evening (after work) Ability to engage students Diversity

Challenges • Speaker recruitment • Student recruitment • Transportation • Engagement • Retention Not a problem 80 applicants – high interest Just need to advertise! Social media (Facebook)

Challenges • Speaker recruitment • Student recruitment • Transportation • Engagement • Retention Escorted rides Carpooling

Challenges • Speaker recruitment • Student recruitment • Transportation • Engagement • Retention 2 hours 6:00-8:00 pm Weekday (school night)

Challenges • Speaker recruitment • Student recruitment • Transportation • Engagement • Retention

Outcomes • Student participation rate = averaged 74% • Student survey comments • Parent involvement / feedback Please comment on what was useful or not. “This was very useful because it helped me realize that I want to be a chemical engineer.” Do you have suggestions to improve the program? Two suggested a shorter time. Five students suggested more sessions or longer sessions. Is there anything else you want to shqre with the program facilitators? “I want to come back next year! Maybe do a reunion to reunite some of the friends we made here.” What have you gained by participating in this program? “To realize that STEM is very broad and it’s not just laboratories.” “…there is more than one way of figuring out puzzles.” “…just by going into science you have an extreme variety of jobs…” “…it showed me a more detailed explanation of new careers I never would have thought would interest me.” “…a sense of the STEM fields broadness because it let me know there are so many other careers.” 3-5 parents were present at each session. Several attended the tour and admissions presentation with their child. Please share any comments you have on the program content and activities. Obviously very helpful (in STEM), a good amount of valuable knowledge from the speakers, and the program also seemed like a lot of fun! 5/5

Future Research • STEM Attitudes survey • Grit • Motivation for STEM careers • Influence of friendships on STEM motivation

Discussion • What methods have you used in engage students in STEM? • What STEM career opportunities would you like to see for students?

Discussion • Do you notice any gender differences when it comes to engaging students in STEM? • Should different approaches be used to engage students who have less exposure to STEM professionals? (e.g. first-generation college students)

Discussion • Do you have suggestions to improve future iterations of SISTEM?

SISTEM – Student Interactions with STEM at UNLV