Transcript Using an Asset-Based Approach to Examine Why Students Succeed in Science

Using an Asset-Based
Approach to Examine Why
Students Succeed in Science
DBER October 27, 2016
Faculty Chancellor’s Award
Presentation Format
Vexation, Venture, & Incubation
Vexation - Explanation of what it is that “vexes” you about some aspect of your
work. (5 mins)
Venture - Explanation of my proposed study. (5 mins)
Incubation - Opportunity for audience assistance/feedback. (10 mins)
Rejoin - whole group rejoins for summary and questions (5 mins)
Vexation - Retention in Undergrad STEM
A brief history of student retention….
1862: Morrill Land Grant Act
provided grants of land to finance colleges (agriculture and mechanic arts).
Increases in general population.
1930s-60s: McNeely Study & GI Bill
Looked at student demographic variables, social engagement, departure
Significant increase in veteran enrollment (~2 million)
1970s-Present:
Spady’s student dropout model
Durkheims student suicide model
How do we frame students pursuing STEM?
Why are students so underprepared for college
level math and science courses?
Pathological Discourse:
Survival, Mortality, Suicide
Why are Black and Latina/o students’ grades and
other indicators of academic achievement
disproportionately lower than their White peers?
Why do so few first-generation students
complete STEM degrees?
*Harper 2010
*Demetriou & Schmitz-Sciborski (2011)
Reinforces deficit perspectives of students
Reframing Retention: Focusing on Assets
Why are students so underprepared for college
level math and science courses?
What stimulates and sustains students’ interest
in attaining degrees in STEM fields?
Why are Black and Latina/o students’ grades and
other indicators of academic achievement
disproportionately lower than their White peers?
How did African-American and Latina/o manage
to persist despite transition issues, racial
stereotypes, academic underpreparedness, and
other negative forces?
Why do so few first-generation students
complete STEM degrees?
*Harper 2010
What are common aspects of successful firstgeneration students’ pathways in STEM?
Venture - Asset Based Approach to
Exploring Student Retention
Proposed Study - Mixed Methods Approach
Phase 1 - Conduct focus group interviews with STEM undergraduates. (Spring
2016, n = 30))
Phase 2 - Develop asset-based survey based on phase 1 data and literature.
(Spring-Summer 2016)
Phase 3 (??) - Collaborate with the Center for Assessment, Design, Research, and
Evaluation (CADRE) to refine survey and implement on larger scale.
Incubation - In Need of Feedback
What pre-college socialization and
preparation factors sustained your
interest in STEM fields? How?
What college socialization and
preparation factors compelled you
to persist in STEM fields? How?
Family support
Classroom interactions
Out of school science experiences
Innovative pedagogies
k-12 academic engagement (e.g., science
clubs)
UG research experiences
Financial Aid
Inspiring educators
Rejoin - Summarize & Qts