A Model for Research by Community College Students

1. A Model for Research by Community College Students Christine Case, Ed.D. SACNAS Skyline College October 29, 2011

2. Skyline College

3. Skyline College

4. Skyline College • 1969 • 10,408 students • California community college • Two-year liberal arts

5. Skyline College • 52% Female • 53% 18-22 years • 45% plan to transfer

6. Skyline College • Asian 26% • Filipino 18% • Hispanic 18% • White 20% • African American 4%

7. Mission Skyline College is a comprehensive, open access community college that provides student-centered education leading to transfer, career advancement, basic skills development, and personal enrichment.

8. Mission Skyline College is a comprehensive, open access community college that provides student-centered education leading to transfer, career advancement, basic skills development, and personal enrichment.

9. Skyline College Biology • General, nonmajors • Allied health • Biotechnology • Majors

10. Biology Majors

11. Biology Majors Organismal Biology Cell Biology

12. Biology Majors • Organismal Biology • Cell Biology • 3 lecture hr/wk • 6 lab hr/wk

13. Capstone • Cell Biology term project • Literature search • Do original research

14. Skyline Students' Say “ I will admit, in the beginning of BIO 230 when you told us we had to do our own research/project, I was BUMMED! I didn't want to do it and I didn’t plan on actually trying to do a good job.… ”

15. …However, as the semester went on, I got more and more into the research and I even became excited when we got results! UCD ”

16. Capstone • Cell Biology term project • Literature search • Do original research • One topic/semester • Applied research • Students design and do their project

17. Skyline Students' Say “ I was very impressed to have full creative direction in my project. Students at UCs help run experiments that are in the interest of another individual. This was a rare opportunity. UCSD ”

18. BIOL 690 Individual Study in Biology (1-3) Individual study of a particular area or problem beyond the scope of regularly offered courses. Courses numbered 680 or 690 are generally transferable. Courses numbered 880 are not transferable. See a counselor for specifics.

19. Goals • To create an opportunity to experience how science is conducted and communicated.

20. Skyline Students' Say “ Doing research was a lot different from just sitting in a classroom and being fed information. UCD ”

21. Goals • To create an opportunity to experience how science is conducted and communicated. • To foster meeting and forming a personal relationship with a mentor.

22. Skyline Students' Say “ The experience was helpful when getting a lab position and even in getting a research mentor. UCLA ”

23. On what? • Your grad school research • Your interests • Local environmental problem • Local environmental baseline data

24. Microbiology • Disseration research • Favorite projects in classes • ARS/USDA research • Environmental problems

25. Water quality

26. Antibiotic Resistance

27. Indoor air quality

28. Antimicrobics

29. Algae & biofuels

30. Presentations • Bay Area Research Symposium

31. Presentations • Bay Area Research Symposium • S. California Community College Research Symposium • N. California • Honors

32. Presentations • Bay Area Research Symposium • Community College Research Symposium • NCASM • NCSIM

33. Presentations • Bay Area Research Symposium • Community College Research Symposium • NCASM • NCSIM • ABRCMS • SACNAS

34. Win… •  Freeman Science • NCASM • ABRCMS

35. Win… •  Freeman Science • NCASM • ABRCMS • SACNAS

36. Publications

37. Publications

41. Find the sweet spot

42. Skyline Students Say “ The ability to tell other students that you did research at a community college is a huge confidence builder. Transferring to a University can be a scary experience, but knowing that you were able to accomplish something is great. UCLA ”

43. Skyline Students Say “ …well needed heaping spoonful of confidence and I found a love for doing work that I enjoy–science. UCSC ”

44. Outcomes • Increased self-confidence

45. Skyline Students Say “ …opened my eyes to becoming a scientist. UCB ”

46. Outcomes • Increased self-confidence • Becoming a scientist

47. Skyline Students Say “ Meeting other people in my field opened my eyes to a variety of careers and schools. SFSU ”

48. Skyline Students Say “ I was on the fence about pursuing science because I thought I wasn't smart enough to apply the concepts. Community College research gave me a foundation that increased my confidence as anaspiring scientist. … you realize, "wow, I'm actually doing this, ME! Stanford ”

49. Outcomes • Increased self-confidence • Becoming a scientist • Confirmation of career plans

50. Skyline Students Say “ I was offered a few PAID summer research positions here at Stanford mostly as a result of having a good resume. Being able to come into a competitive academic setting with some prior experience under my belt has served me well. Stanford ”