Preparing for STEM and STEM Success A literate nation not only reads. It computes, investigates and innovates. -Change the Equation Phil Hampton, Ph.D. Chemistry Professor Director, HSI-STEM Grant CSU Channel Islands (805)

Topics What is STEM? STEM Careers STEM Preparation for Higher Education and Challenges – K-12 education – Community college education STEM Success

What is STEM? STEM stands for… – Science – Technology – Engineering – Mathematics

STEM Areas Biological Sciences Chemistry/ Biochemistry Computer & Information Science Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, etc.) Environmental Science Geosciences (Geology, Astronomy) Mathematics Physics

Excellent STEM Resource #1 STEM resources useful to Counselors, Students, Parents and Educators Rich Feller, Professor of Counseling and Career Development, Colorado State University

STEMconnector® works closely with corporations and other organizations to provide them with a set of tools and resources that support their corporate development, corporate structure and smart STEM investments. Excellent STEM Resource #2

Future STEM Employment

Excellent STEM Resource #3 Change the Equation works at the intersection of business and education to ensure that all students are STEM literate by collaborating with schools, communities, and states to adopt and implement excellent STEM policies and programs.

Job Opportunities in STEM in CA Vital Signs, September 2012:

STEM Preparation and Challenges CHALLENGE #1: WE NEED TO INCREASE K-16 STUDENT INTEREST IN STEM AND BROADEN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF STEM CAREERS

Perceptions of STEM

STEM Careers

CHALLENGE #2: WE NEED TO IMPROVE THE PREPARATION OF K-12 STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY OUR UNDER-SERVED STUDENTS

33 rd in Math 26 th in Science 1 st in Math 1 st in Science

“The 2012 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) test examined 44 countries’ students’ problem-solving abilities — American students landed just above the average, but they still scored below many other developed countries, including Britain, Singapore, Korea, Japan, China and Canada.” Vince Bertram President and CEO Project Lead The Way, Inc. Weak Problem-Solving Skills

Mathematics Readiness is Weak The Nation’s Report Card, National Assessment of Educational Progress,

Strong Math Preparation: A Requirement for Success in STEM Advanced math courses: greater factor in college success than family background Math beyond Algebra II: double chances of obtaining B.A. Necessary preparation of many college courses, including physics, chemistry and even biology.” FactSheet-All%20StudentsNeedAdvancedMath.pdf

STEM High School Preparation Curriculum – Four years of high school mathematics – Four years of high school science Physics Chemistry Biology Earth Science – Strong oral and written communication skills

Math Preparation for STEM

Core Courses in STEM Calculus I General Chemistry I and II Calculus II Physics I and II Biology I Applied Physics Computer Science Information Technology Mathematics Biology Environmental Science and Resource Management Chemistry

CHALLENGE #3: WE NEED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STEM GRADUATES AND RETAIN THEM

Educational Pipeline Vital Signs, September 2012:

STEM Attrition 48% Bachelor’s and 69% of Associate’s degree students left STEM (2003 – 2009) Approximately half of these “STEM Leavers” switched to a non-STEM major Male or lower-income background students had a higher probability of leaving by dropping out of college vs. female and higher-income STEM Attrition: College Students’ Paths Into and Out of STEM Fields: U.S. Department of Education, 2013.

Factors Correlating with Switching to Non-STEM Lighter course loads Taking less-challenging math courses Performing poorly in entry STEM courses Accumulating larger numbers of withdrawn/ failed STEM credits STEM Attrition: College Students’ Paths Into and Out of STEM Fields: U.S. Department of Education, 2013.

CHALLENGE #4: WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY STEM GRADUATES

The State of Latinos in California Higher Education, The Campaign for College Opportunity, 2013

STEM Success

Preparing Students for Success in College 1.Strong cognitive strategies, e.g. analysis, reasoning and argumentation, and interpretation. 2.Strong content knowledge and skills developed by studying English, math, and science. 3.Academic behaviors that enable students to cope with the academic demands of college, such as self monitoring and study skills. 4.“College knowledge” of how the postsecondary system operates, e.g. process of college admissions, financial aid, and successful functioning in college. 1/improving-academic-preparation-for-college/

“Ingredients for Success” in STEM The acquisition of knowledge, skills, and habits of mind; Opportunities to put these into practice; A developing sense of competence, confidence, and progress; Motivation to be in, a sense of belonging to, or self- identification with the field; and Information about stages, requirements, and opportunities. Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation. National Research Council,

Skills Needed for STEM Success Persistence Reading, writing, and communication Basic mathematical skills, including the ability to do word problems Ability to analyze and interpret statistical data Ability to use scientific method Orientation toward learning, good study skills, and ability to take responsibility for one’s own education Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation. National Research Council,

 Technical writing  Interpersonal communication  Ability to explain complex concepts simply Strong Communication Skills

STEM Pathways 100 & 200 Level Courses 100, 200, & 300 Level Courses 300 & 400 Level Courses 300 & 400 Level Courses Freshmen Sophomore CommunityCollegeCoursework/ Transfer AA Degrees Junior Senior Transfer AA Degrees o Computer Science o Mathematics o Physics

Resources for Success in College Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) & Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) MARC and RISE SSS TRIO HSI-STEM

Thank you Phil Hampton, Ph.D. Chemistry Professor Director, HSI-STEM Grant CSU Channel Islands (805)