New program aims to help minority students succeed in STEM majors
The recent Nobel Conference on the energy debate held at Gustavus Adolphus College didn't just give the public a chance to hear world-class scientists. It also gave a group of minority college students majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) an opportunity to hear these experts — and to meet each other. The students were participating in the kickoff event of a new alliance between 16 public and private colleges and universities in Minnesota, the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota High Tech Association. Called the North Star STEM Alliance, it aims to double the 2005 total of 138 minority STEM graduates in the next five years. It specifically includes African American, Hispanic/Latino American, and Native American students.
Funded with a $2.45 million grant from the National Science Foundation through its Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Partnership (LSAMP) program, Minnesota becomes the 37th state to take part. Since LSAMP began in 1991, minority enrollment in STEM programs at more than 450 participating institutions has increased dramatically with almost 25,000 additional baccalaureate degrees earned in the STEM fields each year.
Minnesota is increasingly reliant on fields that require degrees in STEM. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reports that 18 out of the 20 fastest growing occupations will be tied to the STEM disciplines. Yet minority populations are historically underrepresented in these fields. This alliance will help attract more underrepresented students into STEM fields and assist them so that they earn a baccalaureate degree.
Samuel Moore, program director, U of M; Bob Weisenfeld, Gustavus Adolphus College; and Frank Niepold, NOAA.
"This is exciting for students who might need more support than they can get on their individual campuses," said Samuel Moore at the University of Minnesota, who directs the program. "By establishing a community of students across different institutions, they will have more opportunities to network, talk about their research and make informed choices about their field."
Program activities will focus on critical transition points such as from high school to college, from a two-year to a four-year college and from undergraduate to graduate study. For example, summer programs will enable first-year students to take a math or science course and begin to feel part of a community. Similarly, transfer students will be able to take an upper division course during the summer before their first semester.
Students will also have opportunities for undergraduate research, internships, mentoring and exposure to STEM professionals. During the Nobel Conference, Frank Niepold, the Climate Education Coordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Program Office joined about 30 students for lunch and shared a few tips. "A STEM degree will open a lot of doors, especially if you get an internship and find mentors." Niepold said. "You can get a greater education than in the classroom if you hang around these people. Sometimes that's when things click."
Bob Weisenfeld, Gustavus Adolphus College assistant vice president, had a role in writing the successful alliance funding proposal. He said that sharing resources, information and experiences will enable institutions to smooth the transition points for students. "Professor Steven Chu — one of the Nobel Conference presenters — talked about the critical role of collaboration in nurturing younger scientists. This alliance is an example of how we are working together to get more students interested in STEM and help twice as many to complete their degrees. We are trying to create a community of underrepresented students that is engaged, supportive and ongoing," he said.
Although students attending the Nobel Conference didn't know what to expect at this initial event, all seemed enthusiastic. "Any opportunity to encourage fellowship is good; sometimes the hardest thing is knowing where to start," said a student from the University of Minnesota-Morris.
Members of the North Star STEM Alliance include: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (lead institution), University of Minnesota-Duluth, University of Minnesota-Morris, Augsburg College, Carleton College, Gustavus Adolphus College, Macalester College, St. Olaf College, Metropolitan State University, Minnesota State University-Mankato, St. Cloud State University, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Century College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, North Hennepin Community College, Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA).