Student Perceptions of Applied Math Teaching and Learning in the Virginia Tech Summer
Bridge Program
Stephanie N. Lewis, George Kuster, Brandon Bear, Matthew W. Grimes,
Debbie Wilson, and Jill Sible, Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs,
Virginia Tech
Kathryne McConnell, Association of American Colleges & Universities
Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) STEM Talent Exploration
Program (STEP) Grant was awarded to Virginia Tech to help increase the number
of undergraduates completing degrees in the math-heavy physical and quantitative
sciences. College-level math problems require a deeper level of thinking as
compared to primary and secondary schools (Kajander & Lovric, 2005). The
first-year of college is often the most stressful (Pancer et al, 2000) and results in
lower retention rates (Parker et al, 2006). Learning communities that actively
engage students contribute to their academic success during the first year (Tinto,
1999). An initiative set forth by the grant is the Summer Bridge Program. It was
developed as a learning community that supports students through their college
transition while providing real-world exploration of math concepts applicable
across majors. In its fourth year, the program focus has been narrowed to provide
students with college math preparedness and skills development through tackling
real-world problems, exploring math concepts in their declared majors, and trying
math concepts to the research process. The results of this refocus have been
assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Pre- and posttests have shown that
the Summer Bridge Program helped nearly all of the participants from the last two
years to improve their math interpretation skills over the course of the three-week
program; and for some, this carried over into improved academic performance in
first-year math-inclusive courses. A survey of student perceptions revealed that
students expect that solving real-world problems, group-based learning, and the
autonomous nature of the program is better preparing them for college math. The
success of the Summer Bridge Program has led to gains not only in student
preparedness for college-level math based on GPA and reduced fail/withdrawal
numbers, but also an increase in student interest in the physical and quantitative
sciences.
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