CS/M Scholars Program - an NSF S-STEM Project
- Conference
- Location
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Virtual On line
- Publication Date
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June 22, 2020
- Start Date
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June 22, 2020
- End Date
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June 26, 2021
- Conference Session
- Tagged Topics
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Diversity and NSF Grantees Poster Session
- Page Count
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17
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--34360
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/34360
- Download Count
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598
Paper Authors
David Hartenstine Western Washington University
David Hartenstine is a Professor of Mathematics at Western Washington University. He earned his PhD at Temple University.
Perry Fizzano Western Washington University
Perry Fizzano earned his BS degree in Computer Science from Widener University and his MS and PhD in Computer Science from Dartmouth College. He had stints in academia and industry prior to joining WWU in 2005 and becoming chair in 2012. His research interests are in optimization, bioinformatics, information retrieval and computer science education.
Joseph Arthur Brobst
Old Dominion University
orcid.org/0000-0003-0605-757X
Joe Brobst holds a BS in Biological Sciences, MA in Curriculum & Instruction, and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, all from the University of Delaware. Formerly a high school biology teacher, he is now an educational research and program evaluation specialist with experience working on a wide range of projects sponsored by organizations including the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Office of Naval Research, U.S. Department of Education, and Corporation for National and Community Service. His areas of interest and expertise include broadening participation in STEM higher education, K-12 STEM teacher professional development, and preservice teacher preparation in STEM.
Elizabeth Litzler University of Washington
Elizabeth Litzler, Ph.D., is the director of the University of Washington Center for Evaluation & Research for STEM Equity (UW CERSE) and an affiliate assistant professor of sociology. She has been at UW working on STEM Equity issues for more than 15 years. Dr. Litzler is a member of ASEE, incoming chair of the ASEE Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and a former board member of the Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN). Her research interests include the educational climate for students, faculty, and staff in science and engineering, assets based approaches to STEM equity, and gender and race stratification in education and the workforce.
Regina Barber DeGraaff Western Washington University
Regina Barber DeGraaff teaches physics, astronomy and science communication at Western Washington University (WWU). Regina completed her PhD in physics from Washington State University with a focus in astrophysics. She also created the position and serves in the role as the STEM Inclusion and Outreach Specialist at WWU. This half-time position is devoted to the retention and support of underrepresented students and faculty in STEM. Lastly, Regina co-created and manages Spark Science a multimedia (podcast, videos and blogs) project that hopes to share science in an engaging, approachable and humorous way while challenging the scientist stereotype.
Abstract
The CS/M Scholars Program, funded by an NSF S-STEM grant, supports students majoring in computer science or mathematics at a public comprehensive university. The title of the project is "Preparing Students for Careers in Computer Science and Math." Eligible students receive scholarships averaging $4500 per year for up to four years. In addition to scholarships, CS/M Scholars are supported with curricular and co-curricular activities. These include first-quarter seminars in math and computer science that help to build community within the program in addition to introducing the variety of opportunities in the fields and strengthening students' communication and problem-solving skills. Regular program events, six per year, focus on building awareness of possible career paths and various aspects of professional development.
Near peer mentoring is one of the hallmarks of the program. First- and second-year CS/M Scholars are mentored by third- and fourth-year Scholars. In turn, the third- and fourth-year Scholars are mentored by Early Career Professional Mentors, who are recent alumni with computer science or math degrees and now working in the fields or pursuing graduate study. Mentors and mentees have regular guided discussions throughout the school year. Response from both students and alumni has been enthusiastic, with both students and recent alumni seeing great benefit in this opportunity.
Research associated with the program focuses on two main questions: 1) How and to what extent do the program features contribute to the development of self-efficacy, CS/M identity, and sense of belonging? and 2) How does early exposure to computer science through coursework and career awareness affect the experience of CS/M Scholars?. These questions are investigated through focus group interviews and surveys of the Scholars and a comparison group.
This poster will provide an overview of the program, report on recruitment, retention and demographics of the Scholars, and present results of the research. The mentoring aspect, including the role of recent alumni, will be particularly emphasized.
Hartenstine, D., & Fizzano, P., & Brobst, J. A., & Litzler, E., & Barber DeGraaff, R. (2020, June), CS/M Scholars Program - an NSF S-STEM Project Paper presented at 2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access, Virtual On line . 10.18260/1-2--34360
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