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Operation STEM: Students Teaching Students, Why?

Learn about Operation STEM, a program funded by the National Science Foundation, aimed at increasing the number of STEM graduates by utilizing peer teaching methods. Discover how students teaching students in the Pre-Calculus to Calculus II sequence can improve pass rates and benefit both the mentors and mentees.

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Operation STEM: Students Teaching Students, Why?

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  1. Welcome!Students Teaching Students: Really, Why?Operation STEM A National Science Foundation (NSF) STEP GrantTim Lorion & Matt LysyjThe Youngstown State University Undergraduate Mathematics ConferenceFebruary 22nd, 2014

  2. National Science Foundation-STEP* grants: to increase the number of STEM graduates in U.S. Colleges and Universities. Operation STEM: to increase the number of students who successfully complete the Pre-Calculus to Calculus II sequence and graduate with a STEM degree. Purpose of NSF STEP Grants & Operation STEM *STEM Talent Expansion Program

  3. Pre-calculus and Calculus are the “choke point” for STEM Majors • For the past 6 years at Cleveland State University, the highest Pre-calculus I pass rate was 66%. Problem

  4. MTH 167 Pre-calculus I Pass Rates by Term *Includes all official and unofficial withdrawals for MTH 167.

  5. CSU’s Math Department Solution Target FTFT* Freshman who plan to major in STEM, and we provide them with: • preparation & assistance in Pre-calculus and Calculus • mandatory 2 extra hours/week in supplemental class (SPT Session) • STEM Peer Teacher (SPT) instruction, mentoring and attention and fun! *FTFT = First Time Full Time

  6. Students Teaching Students Mentoring Instruction Attention Fun!

  7. SPT Semester Responsibilities 10 paid hours per week per semester • 3 contact hours with professor & Precalc students in lecture • 2contact hours with students in SPT session • 5 hours outside lecture & SPT Session, planning, creating study/practice materials, mentoring, etc. May 10. 2013

  8. How DO Students Teach Other Students? • They act as SPTs (STEM Peer Teachers)! • Assist professor during the scheduled • lecture class • Assess students’ strengths and • weaknesses through observation • and prerequisite assessments.

  9. How do Students Teach Other Students? Continued… • Target weaknesses and improve strengths during • 2 one-hour mandatory sessions per week. • SPT sessions consist of helpful review, • as well as mentoring, all from • student peers who have had • previous success in Pre-calculus & • Calculus courses.

  10. How does Peer Teaching work so well? • This is a new approach for CSU’s Math Department. • Different than any other “study session.” • Students respond extremely well to learning from their peers. • Find it easier to ask questions to other students.

  11. How does Peer Teaching work so well?Continued… • Act as somewhat of a liaison from student to professor. • Seen as an authority figure and respected, yet also seen as a colleague on their level.

  12. Benefits of Being a Peer Teacher • Networking • Relationship with fellow SPTs and students • Interaction with professors, chair and university administrators • Reinforcement of own learning by instructing others

  13. Benefits of Being a Peer TeacherContinued… • Teaching education experience • Personally rewarding • Resume builder

  14. Benefits of Peer Teaching for the Students: • More personal relationship. • Been there, done that! • Day-to-day support. • Mentor, not just a teacher.

  15. MTH 167 Pre-calculus I Pass Rates by Term *Includes all official and unofficial withdrawals for MTH 167.

  16. 2013 MTH 167 Pre-calculus I Survey Feedback If you took another mathematics course, would you take it with or without the SPT session? sessions? WITH 66% 34% WITHOUT

  17. 2013 MTH 167 Pre-calculus I Survey Feedback Did you benefit from the SPT sessions? 83% 17% YES NO

  18. OpSTEM Scholars & SPTs January 2014

  19. Who We Are? Matt Lysyj Sophomore Mathematics Major Education Minor 2nd Semester with Operation STEM Tim Lorion Junior Civil Engineering Major First Semester with Operation STEM

  20. THANK YOU!

  21. Questions and Answers

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