| Student retention rates target of new grant |  |
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| Written by Johnathan Silver, The Shorthorn senior staff | ||||
| Wednesday, 16 September 2009 09:24 PM | ||||
| After receiving a $1,995,000 grant, nearly 100
first-year engineering and science students will work in focus groups as
part of a plan to encourage retention in high demand fields. The grant, funded by the National Science Foundation, particularly targets underrepresented minorities and students who need help succeeding in introductory engineering and science classes. The project tackles the issue in two parts: with an emerging scholars program and undergraduate research opportunities. After money started coming in August, various departments began setting up the basis of the program. Student participation will begin Fall 2010. Students who fail preliminary classes can’t elevate to upper level courses, meaning they can’t get to the bulk of their majors concentration classes. Such problems lead to students dropping out of the major, said Carter Tiernan, engineering assistant dean for student affairs. Some come out of high school as ‘A’ students then make ‘C’s’ in beginning classes, and it’s shocking to those students, she said. “If the rigor of college hits you hard and you need the support, that’s the type of student we’re looking for,” Tiernan said. Students who participate in research will more likely stay in their major because they have hands-on involvement in their subjects, according to grant project directors. Math associate professor James Epperson will work with entering math students in two groups of 25. Students will work in groups and learn how to navigate the university by spending time with students also interested in science and engineering fields, Epperson said. High school seniors will be recruited from majority-minority high schools. The math and chemistry departments also have students struggling in beginning classes, said Kevin Schug, chemistry and biochemistry assistant professor. Chemistry students will learn additional math lessons and math students will receive extra science instruction in emerging scholars programs. Binaya Shrestha, electrical engineering senior and Math Clinic tutor, said many students go to the clinic because they have trouble understanding math concepts and homework. “Engineering is the application of math. You use math to solve problems,” he said. “Having it as a minor is a big help.” The issue of retention in science, technology, engineering and math fields goes beyond the university, Epperson said. “We as a nation need to produce more scientists and engineers to remain competitive globally,” he said. Views: 99 | E-mail
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