Wright State University and Sinclair Community College today joined forces to launch a local initiative to increase the number of students pursuing careers science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). A National Science Foundation (NSF) grant of $2 million over five years is funding the project.
New WSU President David Hopkins and Sinclair President Steven Johnson addressed the value of the collaboration for their institutions and for the Miami Valley during a program to formally launch the project supported through a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) Award. Attending were faculty in the math, science and engineering fields from both institutions who will be working together on the NSF project.
The joint WSU/Sinclair venture will address America's increasing dependence upon science and technology and the role of colleges and universities to graduate educated students in these fields. A recent National Science Board report says, for example, that to ensure America's future science and engineering workforce, more students need to pursue careers in these fields.
"We will develop a common first-year science, technology, engineering and mathematics experience," said Michele Wheatly, Ph.D., the principal investigator for the grant and dean of the WSU College of Science and Mathematics. "Our goal is a 10 percent increase in first- to second-year retention of STEM majors at both institutions and a 10 percent increase in STEM transfer majors from Sinclair to Wright State." She said this is expected to considerably boost the number of STEM graduates at Wright State by the close of the project in five years.
Richard Jones, Ph.D., dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Sinclair, said Sinclair officials "are excited about working with Wright State in this project to promote a smooth transition from high school to college for careers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. We expect that this will benefit the greater Dayton area as well as the students involved."
Because STEM college attrition is a significant problem, particularly in the first year, a key to the project involves implementation of an introductory mathematics for engineering class for first-year students. The class, developed by Nathan Klingbeil, Ph.D., the co-principal investigator and Wright State engineering professor, has increased Wright State first-to second-year retention while boosting student motivation and confidence in math and engineering. Klingbeil was selected as 2005 Ohio Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Council for Advancement and Support of Education partly due to his success with a pilot project in this area.
Officials noted that many Wright State and Sinclair students are first-generation college students, with many under prepared for the rigors of college in general and STEM programs in particular. This grant will help address this situation. It will support implementation of this new introductory class at Sinclair Community College, provide for a companion lab-based class for science majors at both Sinclair and Wright State, allow for professional development of faculty at both institutions and extend the curriculum and associated first-year experience through production of a textbook and presentations at professional meetings.
"This grant will focus on promoting success in the first year to help ensure that students remain in STEM disciplines, as opposed to switching majors or dropping out," Wheatly said. She also said that this grant will enhance the education of women, minorities and students with disabilities.
Added Klingbeil, "Undergraduate education provides the critical link between the nation's secondary schools and a society increasingly dependent upon science and technology. Increasing the number of students obtaining degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields will provide a workforce that is prepared to ensure a healthy economy, respond to demands for national security, and maintain and elevate the quality of life and standard of living in the United States through technological and scientific advancements."
For more details on this project, contact Wheatly at (937) 775-2611.