Helping STEM Students Find a Sense of Belongingness and Stay Excited about Their Studies
Session Format
Round-table Discussion (45 minutes)
Location
Room 2901
Abstract for the conference program
Georgia Perimeter College’s Educate and Nurture Leadership in STEM (ENLISTEM) Scholars Program, funded by an NSF S-STEM grant, has found that an extra-curricular program combining opportunities for students to interact with STEM experts, see STEM careers in action, and lead children in STEM activities helps collegiate STEM students find a sense of belongingness that encourages their persistence through the rigor of STEM coursework. ENLISTEM Scholars receive financial support and participate in advising sessions, but we have found great benefit to ENLISTEM Scholars through field trips to businesses that employ STEM professionals and speakers that present novel opportunities and/or real-world advice. In addition, ENLISTEM Scholars find serving the community by inspiring young children to discover the wonders of math and science very rewarding. The purpose of this discussion is to share the experience of the ENLISTEM Scholars Program so other schools can implement practices that excite students with little financial investment.
Proposal Track
Non-research Project
Start Date
3-4-2016 2:45 PM
End Date
3-4-2016 3:30 PM
Recommended Citation
Lewkowicz, Margie L. and Skelton, Brooke, "Helping STEM Students Find a Sense of Belongingness and Stay Excited about Their Studies" (2016). Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019). 30.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/stem/2016/2016/30
Helping STEM Students Find a Sense of Belongingness and Stay Excited about Their Studies
Room 2901
Georgia Perimeter College’s Educate and Nurture Leadership in STEM (ENLISTEM) Scholars Program, funded by an NSF S-STEM grant, has found that an extra-curricular program combining opportunities for students to interact with STEM experts, see STEM careers in action, and lead children in STEM activities helps collegiate STEM students find a sense of belongingness that encourages their persistence through the rigor of STEM coursework. ENLISTEM Scholars receive financial support and participate in advising sessions, but we have found great benefit to ENLISTEM Scholars through field trips to businesses that employ STEM professionals and speakers that present novel opportunities and/or real-world advice. In addition, ENLISTEM Scholars find serving the community by inspiring young children to discover the wonders of math and science very rewarding. The purpose of this discussion is to share the experience of the ENLISTEM Scholars Program so other schools can implement practices that excite students with little financial investment.
