Abstract
The Guided Pathways to Success Title V team centers a two-week intensive for first year students around a hydroponic shipping container farm to create high-touch, interactive programs for University students. The collaborative experience includes faculty from eight university departments. With leadership from the Title V team we offer students activities, experiments, and projects from growing seeds to developing sales pitches. This interdisciplinary approach introduces students to multiple career pathways– many within STEM, all within one business; farming high-end lettuce. We also discuss diverse representation in STEM, the importance of access and of including all voices. Students develop a strong peer support system throughout the program. Surveys were taken after the pilot program. 50% of the students identified as Hispanic or Latino and as first-generation college students. Half the students felt their foundational understanding of the sciences improved after attending STEM Bridge. 25% of the students indicated newly wanting to obtain a terminal degree (the highest degree that can be awarded in a particular field) after attending STEM Bridge. 75% of students felt an increase in awareness of resources on campus to support them academically and a knowledge of their way around campus.100% of students felt an increase in preparedness for the academic rigors of college life while 87.5% of students felt an increase in their ability to manage their time well after the program.Next year’s program will include 2 cohorts. Students from the 2021 pilot program will be utilized as learning assistants in planning and executing the new programs.
Presenters
Tabetha JohnsonGrant Coordinator, Title V, La Sierra University, California, United States Marvin Payne
Project Director, Guided Pathways to Success in STEM, Title V Programs, La Sierra University, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Economic, Social, and Cultural Context
KEYWORDS
STEM, HYDROPONICS, PATHWAYS, GRANTS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, FARMING, MATHEMATICS, K-12, UNIVERSITY
