SOCED 1 |
| Research at the undergraduate level is widely recognized as a powerful pedagogical tool that significantly enhances the quality of undergraduate science education. Many faculty at 2Y colleges recognize the great benefits of engaging students early in research, yet only a few models exist for how to successfully initiate, implement and sustain undergraduate research programs at 2Y institutions. Through a previous award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), we formed a partnership with three local four-year institutions; University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), California State University at Fullerton (CSUF) and California State University at Los Angeles (CSULA) to pilot a program that provided summer research opportunities for a number of freshman and sophomore Mt. SAC science students. From a second NSF award, we have purchased an Anasazi FT NMR instrument. In an effort to implement research into our program, we are working on three fronts. First, we are developing laboratory experiments that utilize the NMR and other departmental instruments (GC/MS, GC, FTIR, Spartan molecular modeling software) to enrich our curriculum with “instrument-based, research-like” laboratory projects. Second, we are developing two courses titled “Introduction to Science Research” and “Science Research Methodologies and Instrumentation” to stimulate our students' interest in science and better prepare them for conducting research. Third, through a new five-year NSF award we intend to build on our pilot research program and award ten summer research scholarships to Mt. SAC students annually to help them develop further interest in choosing STEM careers upon transfer to four-year institutions. This presentation will discuss our collective efforts toward developing this endeavor. |
|
Undergraduate Research at Two-year Colleges
8:25 AM-12:00 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- Grand Blrm C, Oral
Society Committee on Education |