Award Abstract # 1550089
The SEaRCH: Towards the Development of a STEM Education Research Consortium at HBCUs

NSF Org: EES
Div. of Equity for Excellence in STEM
Recipient: PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date: August 13, 2015
Latest Amendment Date: December 22, 2016
Award Number: 1550089
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Claudia Rankins
EES
 Div. of Equity for Excellence in STEM
EDU
 Directorate for STEM Education
Start Date: August 15, 2015
End Date: July 31, 2017 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $60,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $68,949.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2015 = $60,000.00
FY 2017 = $8,949.00
History of Investigator:
  • Felecia Nave (Principal Investigator)
  • Audie Thompson (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Prairie View A & M University
100 UNIVERSITY DR
PRAIRIE VIEW
TX  US  77446
(936)261-1689
Sponsor Congressional District: 10
Primary Place of Performance: Prairie View A&M University
P.O. Box 667
Prairie View
TX  US  77446-0667
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
10
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): FTAAW94S6LC6
Parent UEI: FTAAW94S6LC6
NSF Program(s): Hist Black Colleges and Univ
Primary Program Source: 04001516DB NSF Education & Human Resource
04001718DB NSF Education & Human Resource
Program Reference Code(s): 9150, 041Z, 9178
Program Element Code(s): 159400
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.076

ABSTRACT

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) provides support to undertake an institutional self-analysis in preparation for a Broadening Participation Research Center. Broadening Participation Research Centers are expected to serve as national hubs for the rigorous study and broad dissemination of the critical pedagogies and culturally sensitive interventions that contribute to the success of HBCUs in educating African American STEM undergraduates. This project is a collaborative effort between the initial members of an education research consortium: Tennessee State University, Prairie View A&M University, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The consortium of schools and team of researchers will work to plan research activities that will lead to the formation of a research center that delineates which individual factors, environmental factors, institutional practices, procedures, and policies are most effective in ensuring that students successfully complete STEM degrees at HBCUs.

Activities of this project include: implementating a strategic planning framework built upon the broadening participation education research expertise of the collaborating institutions involved in the development of an expanded education research consortium of HBCUs; using evidence-based strategies to generate a high-quality plan for the research thrusts and research methodologies of the resulting center; and addressing the gap in the literature regarding STEM education research results, practices and policies pertinent to student persistence and graduation at HBCUs. The project will be guided by an on-going evaluation and an external advisory committee.

PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT

Disclaimer

This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.

This planning grant supported efforts of a consortium of HBCUs to work jointly on developing the blueprint for creating an education research consortium/center focused on broadening participation and ensuring successful completion of students within STEM disciplines at HBCUs.  Initial members of the consortium included: Tennessee State University, North Carolina A&T University, Prairie View A&M University, Morgan State University, and Virginia Tech University. The intellectual merit of the proposed one year planning included: 1) Implementation of a strategic planning framework built upon the broadening participation education research expertise of the PI, Co-PIs, and collaborating institutions involved in the development of an education research consortium of HBCUs; 2) the use of evidence-based research strategies to generate a high-quality plan for the research thrusts and research methodologies of the  resulting center; and 3) the lacuna in the literature regarding STEM education research results, practices and policies pertinent to student persistence and completion.

A pilot study was conducted to assess the experiences of students and faculty or administrators in STEM majors and fields. 216 STEM students and 29 faculty/staff competed the 24-item questionnaire on the Prairie View A&M University campus. Student responses were compared in aggregate to faculty/staff responses. Each partner institution was able to assess individual needs and contribute to a larger discussion about the proposed center activities.

As a result, a three-plane diagram was designed to strategically guide the research focus of the proposed SEaRCH research center. Education, outreach, knowledge transfer, and outcome initiatives will be established to promote and sustain quality STEM education. Professional trainings, research opportunities, and various tools will be offered by the Center to advance efforts to broaden participation in STEM fields. The center will engage students, faculty, and administrators through certificate programs, workshops, and webinars. SEaRCH outcomes will serve as a body of knowledge that guides broadening participation in STEM degree programs. The center will serve as a data clearing house for other institutions, develop a community of scholars to participate in broadening participation research in STEM, and develop resources and tools for the broader STEM community to help advance efforts to broaden participation.

Broadly, university program staff and administrators can utilize the pilot study developed for this study to improve STEM programs and education nationwide to increase the diversity of the STEM workforce. The work produced from this center will serve as a blueprint for thinking strategically about how to build capacity in educational programs.

 


Last Modified: 09/19/2017
Modified by: Audie Thompson

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