STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at MTSU (STEP MT ) STEP MT Internal Advisory Board Meeting July 25, 2006

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 [email protected]

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



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, [email protected] 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



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



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



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)



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



STEPMT


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…



STEPMT


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



STEPMT


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)



STEPMT

Off-Campus PartnershipsOff-Campus Partnerships

Academia (REU’s)

Government Labs Industry (STEP-IN)

Public Schools (STEP-MTeams)



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



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



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



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



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?

Documents

STEPping Up Undergraduate Research at MTSU (STEP MT ) STEP MT Internal Advisory Board Meeting July 25, 2006