Preparing for STEM and
STEM Success
Phil Hampton, Ph.D.
Chemistry Professor
Director, HSI-STEM Grant
CSU Channel Islands
philip.hampton@csuci.edu
(805) 437-8869
A literate nation not only reads. It computes, investigates and innovates.
-Change the Equation
Topics
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What is STEM?
STEM Careers
STEM Preparation for Higher Education and
Challenges
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K-12 education
Community college education
STEM Success
What is STEM?
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STEM stands for…
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Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics
STEM Areas
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Biological Sciences
Chemistry/ Biochemistry
Computer & Information Science
Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer,
etc.)
Environmental Science
Geosciences (Geology, Astronomy)
Mathematics
Physics
Excellent STEM Resource #1
http://stemcareer.com/
STEM resources useful to Counselors, Students, Parents and
Educators
Rich Feller, Professor of Counseling and Career Development,
Colorado State University
Excellent STEM Resource #2
http://www.stemconnector.org/
STEMconnector® works closely with corporations and
other organizations to provide them with a set of tools
and resources that support their corporate development,
corporate structure and smart STEM investments.
http://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2014/spring/art01.pdf
http://cs.calvin.edu/documents/computing_careers
Future STEM Employment
http://www.esa.doc.gov/sites/default/files/reports/documents/stemfinalyjuly14_1.pdf
Excellent STEM Resource #3
http://changetheequation.org
Change the Equation works at the intersection of business and
education to ensure that all students are STEM literate by
collaborating with schools, communities, and states to adopt and
implement excellent STEM policies and programs.
Job Opportunities in STEM in CA
Vital Signs, September 2012: www.changetheequation.org
STEM Preparation and
Challenges
CHALLENGE #1: WE NEED TO
INCREASE K-16 STUDENT
INTEREST IN STEM AND
BROADEN THEIR
UNDERSTANDING OF STEM
CAREERS
Perceptions of STEM
STEM Careers
CHALLENGE #2: WE NEED TO
IMPROVE THE PREPARATION OF
K-12 STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY
OUR UNDER-SERVED STUDENTS
1st in Math
1st in Science
33rd in Math
26th in Science
Weak Problem-Solving Skills
“The 2012 Program for International Student
Assessment (PISA) test examined 44 countries’
students’ problem-solving abilities — American
students landed just above the average, but they
still scored below many other developed countries,
including Britain, Singapore, Korea, Japan, China
and Canada.”
Vince Bertram
President and CEO
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Mathematics Readiness is Weak
The Nation’s Report Card, National Assessment of Educational Progress, http://www.nationsreportcard.gov/
Strong Math Preparation: A
Requirement for Success in STEM
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Advanced math courses: greater factor in college
success than family background
Math beyond Algebra II: double chances of obtaining
B.A.
Necessary preparation of many college courses,
including physics, chemistry and even biology.”
http://www.futurereadyproject.org/sites/frp/files/Achieve-MathWorksFactSheet-All%20StudentsNeedAdvancedMath.pdf
STEM High School Preparation
Curriculum
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Four years of high school mathematics
Four years of high school science
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Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Earth Science
Strong oral and written communication skills
Math Preparation for STEM
http://www.mathismore.net/resources/Future_of_High_School_Math_Report.pdf
Core Courses in STEM
Biology
General
Chemistry
I and II
Biology I
Chemistry
Calculus
I
Physics
I and II
Environmental Science and
Resource Management
Calculus II
Applied Physics
Computer Science
Information Technology
Mathematics
CHALLENGE #3: WE NEED
TO INCREASE THE NUMBER
OF STEM GRADUATES AND
RETAIN THEM
Educational Pipeline
Vital Signs, September 2012: www.changetheequation.org
STEM Attrition
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48% Bachelor’s and 69% of Associate’s
degree students left STEM (2003 – 2009)
Approximately half of these “STEM Leavers”
switched to a non-STEM major
Male or lower-income background students
had a higher probability of leaving by
dropping out of college vs. female and
higher-income
STEM Attrition: College Students’ Paths Into and Out of STEM Fields:
U.S. Department of Education, 2013.
Factors Correlating with Switching
to Non-STEM
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Lighter course loads
Taking less-challenging math courses
Performing poorly in entry STEM courses
Accumulating larger numbers of withdrawn/
failed STEM credits
STEM Attrition: College Students’ Paths Into and Out of STEM Fields:
U.S. Department of Education, 2013.
CHALLENGE #4: WE NEED
TO DIVERSIFY STEM
GRADUATES
The State of Latinos in California Higher Education,
The Campaign for College Opportunity, 2013
STEM Success
Preparing Students for Success in
College
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Strong cognitive strategies, e.g. analysis, reasoning and
argumentation, and interpretation.
Strong content knowledge and skills developed by studying
English, math, and science.
Academic behaviors that enable students to cope with the
academic demands of college, such as self monitoring and
study skills.
“College knowledge” of how the postsecondary system
operates, e.g. process of college admissions, financial aid,
and successful functioning in college.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/labor/report/2009/01/27/541
1/improving-academic-preparation-for-college/
“Ingredients for Success” in STEM
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The acquisition of knowledge, skills, and habits of
mind;
Opportunities to put these into practice;
A developing sense of competence, confidence, and
progress;
Motivation to be in, a sense of belonging to, or selfidentification with the field; and
Information about stages, requirements, and
opportunities.
Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation.
National Research Council, 2011
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83364/
Skills Needed for STEM Success
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Persistence
Reading, writing, and communication
Basic mathematical skills, including the ability to do
word problems
Ability to analyze and interpret statistical data
Ability to use scientific method
Orientation toward learning, good study skills, and
ability to take responsibility for one’s own education
Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation.
National Research Council, 2011
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83364/
Strong Communication Skills
 Technical writing
 Interpersonal communication
 Ability to explain complex concepts simply
http://www.iseek.org/careers/stemskills.html
STEM Pathways
Community
College
Coursework/
Transfer AA
Degrees
Transfer AA Degrees
o Computer Science
o Mathematics
o Physics
100 & 200
Level Courses
Freshmen
100, 200, & 300 Sophomore
Level Courses
300 & 400
Level Courses
Junior
300 & 400
Level Courses
Senior
Resources for Success in College
SSS
TRIO
HSI-STEM
Louis Stokes Alliance
for Minority Participation
(LSAMP)
&
Research Experiences
for Undergraduates
(REU)
MARC and RISE
Thank you
Phil Hampton, Ph.D.
Chemistry Professor
Director, HSI-STEM Grant
CSU Channel Islands
philip.hampton@csuci.edu
(805) 437-8869