| NSF Org: |
EAR Division Of Earth Sciences |
| Recipient: |
|
| Initial Amendment Date: | April 27, 2018 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | May 19, 2020 |
| Award Number: | 1757930 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Luciana Astiz
lastiz@nsf.gov (703)292-4705 EAR Division Of Earth Sciences GEO Directorate for Geosciences |
| Start Date: | May 15, 2018 |
| End Date: | April 30, 2022 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $391,970.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $400,970.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2019 = $143,965.00 FY 2020 = $9,000.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
|
| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
3100 MARINE ST Boulder CO US 80309-0001 (303)492-6221 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
|
| Primary Place of Performance: |
3100 Marine Street Boulder CO US 80303-1058 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
|
| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
|
| Parent UEI: |
|
| NSF Program(s): | EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES |
| Primary Program Source: |
01001920DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01002021DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
|
| Program Element Code(s): |
|
| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.050 |
ABSTRACT
The goal of Research Experience for Community College Students (RECCS) in the Geosciences is to engage 10 Colorado community college students per year through participation in authentic research in the geosciences with emphasis on locally relevant topics. Particular focus will be on engaging and supporting rural Colorado students. RECCS participants will be mentored through a 9-week research project overseen by preeminent scientists and will receive skills and scientific communication training over the course of the summer. It is expected that the research experience will guide students toward science degrees at four-year institutions. Rigorous program evaluation will provide data to measure the effects of engaging these students in research experiences and subsequent student interest in pursuing STEM-focused four-year college or graduate school degrees and scientific careers.
This summer research program will engage a diverse cadre of community college , especially those from rural Colorado, in the sciences. Community colleges tend to be diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, and income level, and often include rural, first-generation college or veteran-status students. Studies show that research experiences help students improve their understanding of the scientific process, their ability to read scientific literature critically, and to integrate theory and practice. These students are more likely than others to pursue future research experiences or enroll in graduate school programs. The RECCS research environment is designed to provide several layers of mentoring by scientists, professional development trainers and RECCS staff, as well as peer-group interaction, to instill a sense of belonging within the student cohorts. This structure will ensure that participants receive the support they need to succeed in their projects and to gain confidence in their scientific ability. The involvement of scientists from Colorado University Boulder and local Federal Laboratories will provide students with access to cross-disciplinary and cross-agency expertise and foster connections and collaborations between those research groups. In addition, RECCS also provides mentoring opportunities for early career scientists. The engagement of students from different community colleges will have a ripple effect on the students around them, hopefully inspiring other community college students to pursue science internships and other research experiences.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
Note:
When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external
site maintained by the publisher. Some full text articles may not yet be available without a
charge during the embargo (administrative interval).
Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from
this site.
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.
The Research Experience for Community College Students (RECCS) engaged Colorado community college students through participation in authentic research in the geosciences and environmental science with the expectation that this research experience will guide participating students toward science degrees at four-year institutions. Community college students tend to be diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, income level, and often include rural, first-generation college or veteran-status students, thus inspiring these students for a career in science has the potential to increase the diversity in the Geosciences. RECCS is one of the first Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) sites that specifically targets Community College students and matches them with research mentors for an R-1 university. In this continuation grant, RECCS program engaged students from eleven of the thirteen colleges in the state, many of them are in rural areas.
Over the course of four years, forty-five Community College students were mentored through a 9-week research project overseen by researchers from the University of Colorado, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Geological Survey. Students completed independent, small research projects under the guidance of their mentors and received professional development skills and scientific communication training by the RECCS team. Students learned all aspects of the scientific process throughout the program and as a capstone event, the students presented their research results at a scientific poster session and gave a short oral presentation. Due to pandemic restrictions, the 2020 cohort engaged only in a 2-week virtual, abbreviated program which also included a virtual scientific talk. However, students still completed very small independent research projects and presented their work. Ten students from the 2020 cohort returned for the full RECCS program in 2021. Rigorous evaluation of the students showed that participants gained knowledge in the geosciences or environmental science, increased their understanding of the scientific process, felt like they were scientists engaged in real-world science and felt included in the scientific community. During the two pandemic RECCS cohorts struggled somewhat with the virtual format, felt less connected to their research groups and experienced more mental health challenges.
Ongoing cohort support and newsletters have continued to engage and support alumni. Out of the 45 alumni, ten students are currently enrolled in a Bachelor's program and eleven students have completed their Bachelor's. Three are enrolled in a Master's and three in a PhD program, seventeen students are still finishing up their Associate's degree. Many of the students presented their research at scientific conferences, such as the American Geophysical Union. One alumnus received the AGU outstanding poster award. In summary, the RECCS program has been successful in preparing 2YC for the rigors of a 4YC STEM degree and has seen high retention and graduation rates of its alumni.
Last Modified: 03/08/2022
Modified by: Anne U Gold
Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.
