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STEPping Up STEPping Up Undergraduate Research Undergraduate Research
at MTSU (STEPat MTSU (STEPMTMT))
STEPMT Internal Advisory Board Meeting
July 25, 2006
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
NSF STEP OverviewNSF STEP OverviewSTEP = STEM Talent Expansion ProgramSTEM = Sci, Tech, Engr, MathGoals of NSF-STEP: More STEM gradsCharacteristics
– Program is 5 years old– Grants are for 5 years– <= $2M based on size of university– 12-15 funded/yr of ~250 proposals
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
MTSU’s STEP Program (STEPMTSU’s STEP Program (STEPMTMT))
Co-PIs: Bill Robertson (PHYS), Andri Friedli (CHEM), Ginger Rowell (MATH), Tom Cheatham
Coordinator: Brad Rudnik, brudnik@mtsu.edu Depts: BIOL, CHEM, CSCI, ETIS, GEOL, MATH, PHYS 5 years (2004 - 2009), $1.7+ M Goal: Increase retention & graduation of STEM How?
– Build STEM community through UG research– Change curriculum to include more inquiry-based– Partner w/ RCS, TLSAMP, area companies
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
Curriculum InnovationsCurriculum Innovations Inquiry-based Learning in Key Lower
Division Classes for Majors– Biology, Chem, CSCI,
ETIS, Geology, Math
New Student Research Courses (cross-listed)
Laboratory Internship Classes
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
Laboratory InternshipLaboratory Internship
Proposed: use Chemistry’s model for teaching their students about being lab assistants
Current: Need to think of appropriate transitions for other disciplines
Looking for ideas/volunteers – Course reassigned time available
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
Student Research Seminar SeriesStudent Research Seminar Series
Combines Research & Community Weekly Lunchtime Talks Presented by Faculty
and Students (Pizza) Examples
– Introduction to Research / Opportunities at MTSU– Writing a Research Proposal / Making a Poster– Research Case Studies Discipline Examples – Student Research Stories (Panel) – Summer Research Internships (Panel)
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
Undergraduate Research CommunityUndergraduate Research Community
Aim: Create a community of undergraduate research students across the STEM disciplines.
Why? – Better connection to discipline– Support structure/role models– Interdisciplinary appreciation
NSF: Why? = STEM student retention
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
Undergraduate Research CommunityUndergraduate Research Community
Academic Year Research Awards – Administered through the Undergraduate
Research Council– Awards $1000 (+$500 for faculty mentor, +$300
for supplies) – Assistants $500– Applications due in early fall and spring
semesters (3 calls in 2 years)– Spent $51,500 thus far…
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
Undergraduate Research CommunityUndergraduate Research Community
Summer Research Teams (2005, 2006)
• Research projects designed and led by MTSU faculty members ($5000 / $50K)
• 2 MTSU undergraduates ($4000 / $3000 / $76 K)
• High school teacher and high school student ($3500 /$2000 / $35K / $26K)
• Social activities - lunches, poster sessions, tours
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
Undergraduate Research CommunityUndergraduate Research Community
Academic Year Social Engineering• Undergraduate research student lunch
seminars (~200 students / 4 semesters)
• Undergraduate Scholars Day (~60 students)
• Large cadre of undergraduate researchers (~50 students)
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
Off-Campus PartnershipsOff-Campus Partnerships
Academia (REU’s)
Government Labs Industry (STEP-IN)
Public Schools (STEP-MTeams)
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
Industry Industry Partnerships (STEP-IN)Partnerships (STEP-IN)
Local industries / governmentSubstantive: 10 week summer
research experiencePaid: $5000 ($25 K)Well-Defined: ExpectationsLearning Experience: 2 mentorsEvaluated: Written evaluations, report
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
High School PartnersHigh School Partners
Local: Rutherford County schoolsLasting Impact: High school
teacher/student pairSubstantive: 200 hr commitmentTeam Effort: Interaction within an
MTSU team
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
ChallengesChallenges
Administrative load for PIs and coordinator(average time is 42% - NSF)
Increased admin services outside STEP Curriculum reform difficult and slow Trouble building interdisciplinary research
community Industry partnerships difficult to form and to
maintain
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
Your Input/Help is Needed!Your Input/Help is Needed!
1. Support activities of faculty participants Inform campus of activities Use activities as examples of research in speeches
2. Improve the process for research stipends Closer coordination and improved communication
with financial aid/business office Keep policies student-friendly
- STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at Middle Tennessee
www.mtsu.edu/~stepmt stepmt@mtsu.edu
STEPMT
Your Input/Help is Needed!Your Input/Help is Needed!
3. Third year review at NSF in spring 2007 Assess impact, successes, and failures Propose improvements and changes
4. Plan for sustainability Support the Undergraduate Research Center Encourage curriculum reform for effective teaching Other?
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