Despite efforts of the past three decades, participation of
underrepresented minority groups is still an issue in STEM disciplines. Minority
ethnic groups account for approximately 30% of the United States population,
but only 9.1% of those working in STEM occupations[1, 2]. In this
context, a program between the Community College of Philadelphia and Drexel University to provide research
experience to underrepresented minority students (UMS) was implemented based on
the hypothesis that learning about science and engineering is more effective if
it is paired with the challenge of independent research in a specifically
collaborative “micro-environment”, as for example in active research
laboratories. Six undergraduate UMS (three male, three female) were selected
from a pool of twenty applicants in the inaugural year. Each student
independently selected a Drexel faculty advisor and corresponding research
group best aligned to their interests within the first two weeks of ten week
program. From the outset, library integration underpinned the program. To this
aim, students were personally introduced to key library professionals and
digital library search tools and databases were immediately employed to review
at least three relevant journal articles to their research foci, which assisted
to form the basis for independent research proposals. By week four, students
presented research plans before a panel of faculty and student judges. In order
to complete the program, each student produced three final deliverables - an
oral presentation, technical poster and paper describing their work. In
addition, students were exposed to STEM research in an application-driven
industrial setting through a visit to a private corporation known for its
innovation. A final
survey and individualized assessments were conducted to evaluate the
effectiveness of the program and progress of the individual students,
respectively. Students demonstrated familiarity with basic
research methods and universally reported increased interest in STEM education
and careers, with four continuing to work in their labs beyond the program’s
formal duration. Beyond the summer research program, the partnership
facilitated: (i) tutoring in community college STEM courses by Drexel graduate
students, (ii) a STEM career discussion panel, and (iii) a discussion among
faculty and staff from both institutions on addressing challenges UMS face in
STEM education.
Keywords—Research-based
Learning, STEM education, Minority Participation
References
[1] President's
Council of Advisors on Science & Technology"Engage-to-Excel: Producing
One Million Additional College Graduates with Degrees in Science,Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics," E. O. o. t. President, Ed., ed. Washington,
D.C.: Executive Office of the President 2012.
[2] C. Vest, "The Image Problem for
Engineering," The Bridge vol.
41, pp. 5-11, 2011.
