| NSF Org: |
EES Div. of Equity for Excellence in STEM |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 7, 2018 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | July 30, 2021 |
| Award Number: | 1832348 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Mike Ferrara
mferrara@nsf.gov (703)292-2635 EES Div. of Equity for Excellence in STEM EDU Directorate for STEM Education |
| Start Date: | October 1, 2018 |
| End Date: | September 30, 2024 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $1,325,260.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $1,325,260.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
13356 ELDRIDGE AVE SYLMAR CA US 91342-3200 (818)364-7600 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
13356 Eldridge Avenue Sylmar CA US 91342-3244 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | HSI-Hispanic Serving Instituti |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.076 |
ABSTRACT
The Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program (HSI Program) aims to enhance undergraduate STEM education and build capacity at HSIs. Projects supported by the HSI Program will also generate new knowledge on how to achieve these aims. This project at Los Angeles Mission College will advance the aims of the HSI Program by developing a student-centered intervention to support the success of undergraduate biology students. The project aims to increase the success of biology majors in their courses at Los Angeles Mission College and in transfer to four-year universities. This project plans to achieve these aims through weekly academic success workshops that help biology majors pass college algebra and trigonometry courses. This intervention is expected to stimulate student engagement in biology through mathematics, which will increase student success and retention in gateway mathematics courses and persistence in the major.
The goals of this project are to increase the persistence, success, retention rates, and transfer rates of biology majors, with a focus on those in college algebra and trigonometry courses. By making the quantitative aspects of biology more engaging and relevant via academic success workshops, the project aims to increase student success and retention rates in college algebra and trigonometry. The academic success workshops will facilitate student peer learning that are designed to increase a sense of community among students. Faculty from Los Angeles Mission College and the University of California, Los Angeles, will develop the supplemental materials and refine them via feedback provided through implementation of academic success workshops at Los Angeles Mission College. This project will also hold workshops for faculty from other institutions seeking to enhance the quantitative experience of their biology majors. The project will investigate the impact of supplemental materials used in academic success workshops on student success in college algebra and trigonometry, persistence to calculus, and successful transfer to four-year universities. The project will analyze performance of students who attended the academic success workshops to students who did not. The project will develop a model that targets a diverse student population in the biological sciences that may increase success, retention, and degree completion rates via contextualized mathematics in the biological sciences.
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.
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.
Our project has influenced the development of key disciplines through a holistic approach that comprehensively supports students. Activities funded by this grant have provided vital assistance in math courses and increased awareness of the biology profession and transfer processes, contributing to a more informed and prepared student cohort.
Our initiatives have made significant progress in enhancing student retention, success, and transfer rates in mathematics courses essential for biology majors. By addressing the academic challenges in College Algebra and Trigonometry, we have fostered a supportive learning environment that encourages student achievement. Key accomplishments include a marked increase in the success rates of biology majors in Trigonometry and College Algebra, with recent data indicating a rebound after initial declines due to the pandemic. Retention rates have also improved, reflecting effective strategies implemented during the post-pandemic period. Transfer rates to University of California (UC) campuses have remained stable, with a remarkable 89% increase in transfers to CSUs in biological sciences, showcasing the program's success in motivating students to pursue higher education.
Moreover, the number of students receiving Associate Degrees in Biology has significantly increased, consistently surpassing benchmarks prior to a slight decline caused by pandemic challenges. Enhanced enrollment in mathematics courses supports expectations for future increases in degree attainment.
A notable success of the initiatives has been the creation of supplementary learning materials that clarify complex mathematical concepts and illustrate their applications in biology. These resources connect abstract math to biological examples, making the subject more accessible. Additionally, we introduced academic success workshops that offered targeted tutoring, group study opportunities, and peer support in both in-person and online formats, catering to diverse student needs. Collaboration with UCLA to develop supplementary materials and improve teaching methodologies through faculty professional development has been a vital component of this initiative.
Furthermore, our expanded activities—such as mentorship programs, tours of four-year universities, zoo field trips, and summer research opportunities—have significantly enriched students' experiences. The mentorship programs provide personalized guidance, helping students navigate academic challenges and make informed decisions about their educational and career paths. University tours offer firsthand exposure to higher education environments, motivating students to pursue transfer opportunities, while zoo field trips provide practical applications of biological concepts. Summer research opportunities allow students to engage in hands-on scientific inquiry, deepening their understanding and enhancing their research skills. These activities have resulted in increased student engagement, sparking interest in biological sciences and graduate studies.
Overall, the combined efforts and initiatives supported by this grant have positively impacted student success and transfer rates. These comprehensive strategies have significantly advanced the development of principal disciplines, particularly in biology, by producing a knowledgeable, experienced, and motivated group of students prepared for future academic and professional endeavors. The initiative has significantly benefited low-income, first-generation students, improving their academic success and engagement in STEM pathways.
Last Modified: 10/03/2024
Modified by: Parvaneh Mohammadian
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