Cleveland State
University
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Agenda
•
•
What is Operation STEM?
Changes in PreCalculus Program
• SPT Sessions
• Additional Support
•
Benefits of Operation STEM
Impacts of the Program
• Data/Statistics
• Students
• STEM Peer Teachers
•
Questions
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
What is Operation STEM?
Overview and Background

The purpose of NSF-STEP grants is to increase the number
of STEM graduates in U.S. Colleges and Universities.

Operation STEM was created at CSU to increase the
number of students who successfully complete the calculus
sequence (PreCalculus – Calculus) and graduate with a
STEM degree.
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
PreCalculus Program Changes
Operation STEM targets FTFT* Freshman pursuing a STEM degree, and
provides them with:
 A community of peers
 Class size capped at 37 students
 Preparation & assistance in Precalculus and Calculus
• Mandatory 2 extra hours per week of structured learning assistance
• Project Based Learning / Application Problems
• STEM Peer Teacher (SPT) instruction, mentoring, and personal attention


February 22, 2014
*FTFT = First Time Full Time
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
PreCalculus Program Changes
SPT Sessions
SPT Session - 1 hour structured
learning assistance session
twice a week taught by
STEM Peer Teachers
STEM Peer teachers reinforce
PreCalculus concepts
February 22, 2014
Concepts are enforced and
applied using Project/Problem
Based Learning
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
PreCalculus Program Changes
Additional Support
Mandatory and Optional
Office Hours
Study Sessions
Exam Preparation Sessions
Homework Help
 Supplemental Worksheets, Activities, and Videos
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Benefits of Operation STEM
OpSTEM Scholars
Summer Institute 2013
2-weeks, 8-days
Immediately before
start of Fall semester
They engaged in:
 Explore CSU Activities
 Visits from STEM Guest Speakers
 College Success Workshops
February 22, 2014
 A Review of Precalculus Skills
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Benefits of Operation STEM
OpSTEM Scholars
February 22, 2014

Academic Support & Mentoring
for Precalculus I & II

Summer Calculus I

OpSTEM Scholar Outings
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
How have these changes
impacted the
PreCalculus Courses,
SPTs, and Students thus far?
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Impacts of Operation STEM
2013 Summer Institute

Refreshed PRE-Precalculus skills -- more prepared for
Fall Precalculus I course

Increased knowledge of:
 CSU resources, organizational & time management
skills, how to interact with professors

STEM Guest Speakers: positive, encouraging &
influential; provided helpful career information
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Impacts of Operation STEM
2013 Summer Institute cont.

OpSTEM Scholars were more confident on first
day, fewer “unknowns”.

Bonded as a cohort

STEM Peer Teachers have gained valuable
teaching, coaching, mentoring, organizational
skills, and work experience.
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Impacts of OpSTEM
Results of Our First OpSTEM Semester

Over the 6 years at CSU, highest Precalculus I
pass rate: 66%.

Pioneer semester of Operation STEM, Fall 2013,
surpassed that rate by 15%.

Fall 2013 Precalculus I pass rate: 81%
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
Pass Rate
Withdrawals
(Percentage &
(Percentage &
Number Passed with
Number )
C or >)
14% (19)
49% (69)
9% (9)
50% (52)
Term
Enrollment *
Fall 2007
Spring 2008
140
105
Fall 2008
138
19% (26)
46% (64)
Spring 2009
126
17% (21)
49% (62)
Fall 2009
134
16% (21)
51% (68)
Spring 2010
121
17% (21)
60% (73)
Fall 2010
122
16% (20)
56% (68)
Spring 2011
94
23% (22)
51% (48)
Fall 2011
127
17% (22)
57% (72)
Spring 2012
73
30% (22)
40% (29)
Fall 2012
134
9% (12)
66% (89)
Spring 2013
93
13% (12)
57% (53)
Fall 2013**
152
5% (8)
81% (123)
*Includes all official and unofficial withdrawals for MTH 167.
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Fall 2013
MTH 167 Section
OpSTEM
Section
(Enrollment*)
PBL
Sect.
Course
Enrollment**
9:45am–10:50am MWF
11:00am–12:05pm • SPT/PBL-MW
YES
(13)
YES
4:00pm – 5:50pm MW
6:00pm-7:00pm • SPT/PBL-MW
YES
(8)
1:30pm – 2:35pm MWF
3:00pm – 4:00pm • SPT-MW
%/No. Withdraws
# Who
Took Final
&
Completed
the Course
Pass Rate
(Percentage
C or >)
Official
Unofficial
37
3%
(1)
14%
(4)
32
84%
(31)
YES
28
4%
(1)
11%
(3)
24
82%
(23)
YES
(8)
NO
32
16%
(5)
0%
(0)
27
72%
(23)
2:45pm-3:50 MWF
4:00pm-5:00pm • SLA-MW
NO
NO
25
4%
(1)
0%
(0)
24
84%
(21)
8:00am-9:50am TTH
10:00am-11:00am • SLA-TTH
NO
NO
30
0%
(0)
7%
(2)
28
83%
(25)
TOTALS
3/5
2/5
152
5%
(8)
6%
(9)
135
81%
(123)
February 22, 2014
*Enrollment of OpSTEM Scholars in Precalc I section.
**Includes official and unofficial students who withdrew from the course.
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
%/Number
of
Withdraws
Mean
Final
Exam
Score
Mean
Course
Grade
Pass Rate
(Percentage
& Number of
Students
with C or >)
Moved on
to
Precalc II
MTH 168
Cohort
# of
Students*
OpSTEMS***
29
0%
(0)
79%
85%
90%
(26)
24**
NonOpSTEMS
123
6.5%
(8)
71%
78%
79%
(97)
88
*Includes all official and unofficial students who withdrew from the course.
** Changed major, difficult high school-freshman transition, life challenges, etc.
*** Students who attended the Summer Institute
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
# of
Students*
Cohort
OpSTEM
Scholars **
NonOpSTEM
Scholars
February 22, 2014
Operation STEM
%/Number
of
Withdraws
Mean
Final
Exam
Score
Mean
Course
Grade
Pass Rate
(Percentage
& Number of
Students
with C or >)
PBL
21
0%
(0)
79%
84%
86%
(18)
Non
-PBL
8
0%
(0)
80%
88%
100%
(8)
PBL
44
5%
(2)
69%
79%
82%
(36)
Non
-PBL
79
8%
(6)
73%
78%
77%
(61)
*Includes all official and unofficial students who withdrew
from the course.
** Students who attended the Summer Institute
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
2013 MTH 167 Precalculus I Survey Feedback
If you took another mathematics course,
would you take it with or without the SPT session?
WITH
WITHOUT
February 22, 2014
66%
34%
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
2013 MTH 167 Precalculus I Survey Feedback
Did you benefit from the SPT/SLA sessions?
83%
17%
YES
February 22, 2014
NO
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Impacts of Operation STEM
STEM Peer Teachers (SPTs)
• confidence in teaching abilities
• expanded understanding of topics
• hands-on training
• contact hours
• collaboration with professors
• designing lessons
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Impacts of Operation STEM
Students
Questions we asked students:
• How has Operation STEM impacted your math career?
• How well do you think you would have done in
PreCalculus I without the assistance provided by
Operation STEM?
• How has Operation STEM impacted your life
outside of your math career?
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Impacts of Operation STEM - Students
How has Operation STEM impacted
your math career?
•“With Operation STEM it has made it easier
to follow along in class, often in college
classes many students don’t get the help
they need but everyone does in SPT
classes!” – Operation STEM Scholar
February 22, 2014
•“Having multiple people in the classroom
allowed me to get my questions answered
quickly and with different explanations.” –
Precalculus Student
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Impacts of Operation STEM - Students
How has Operation STEM impacted your
math career?
“It has made me consider math
as my major!”
– Operation STEM Scholar
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Impacts of Operation STEM - Students
How well do you think you would have performed in
PreCalculus I without the assistance provided
by Operation STEM?
•
•“I feel as though my motivation would not
even compare to the motivation I have
now.” – Operation STEM Scholars
“Operation STEM provides a one-on-one
hands on learning experience that is
extremely helpful. Without them, I’d do
mediocre.” – Precalculus Student
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Impacts of Operation STEM - Students
How has Operation STEM impacted your life outside of
your math career?
•
“Mainly, I don’t stress about the material like I used to.
Operation STEM gave me back the confidence in the
material and even some in myself.”
~Precalculus Student
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Impacts of Operation STEM - Students
How has Operation STEM impacted your life
outside of your math career?
“I am a better problem solver and I am
looking for multiple ways to calculate
problems I come across, instead of just
focusing on just one way I was taught
previously.” – Operation STEM Scholar
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Impacts of Operation STEM - Students
How has Operation STEM impacted your life
outside of your math career?
“I have gained confidence in my
ability to do college work and
I have made great friends.”
– Operation STEM Scholar
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Observed, Unique Characteristics of OpSTEM Scholars
•
Sense of community has been established in lecture,
SPT session, and on campus
•
Support and look out for one another
•
Evident tone of overall strong, focused work ethic in class
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
Observed, Unique Characteristics of OpSTEM Scholars
•
Feel special (social activities and special opportunities)
•
Cohort has bonded (due to Summer Institute, OpSTEM
Scholars placed in same Precalculus sections, social activities)
February 22, 2014
Cleveland State
University
Operation STEM
“Working hard for something we don’t care about is called
stress; working hard for something we love is called passion.”
~Simon Sinek, Notes to Inspire
Thank you!
Questions?
February 22, 2014