Brad Morrison
Michele O’Connor
David Reyes
Accomplishments of a NSF-STEP Grant
Promise of a Math-Science Learning Center
Hesham Ali
Jack Heidel
Dana Richter-Egger

STEP Program
Goal
Introduction
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination


S
TEM
T alent E xpansion P rogram ( STEP )
S cience T echnology E ngineering M athematics (ST E M)
 A congressionally mandated NSF program
 The first awards were made in the fall of 2003
PURPOSE
 to increase the number of students pursuing and obtaining STEM degrees
 Includes both community colleges and four-year institutions

STEP Program
Goal
Introduction
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 To recruit and retain STEM majors through a broad, multifaceted effort to strengthen the collaboration between UNO and MCC
HOW?
 Funding from a NSF STEP Grant
 $2 million over 5 years
 The intent is support expansion and adaptation of currently successful activities within and between the two institutions as well as the implementation of new activities .

STEP Program
Goal
Introduction
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination




Foster flexible, creative and collaborative research
Bridges the ‘gaps’ that students fall through
Create seamless educational pathways for students
Today's laboratory shapes tomorrow’s economy

STEP Program
Goal
Introduction
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination





New initiatives are necessary for healthy growth
Institutions operate in competitive environments and have need for allies
Greater chance of acquiring funding with collaborative efforts
Different perspectives from collaboration are more likely to lead to innovations
Efficiency and efficacy

STEP Program
Goal
Introduction
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination







Enhance opportunities for students and faculty
Increased interaction → greater creativity
Better preparation for students to transition from community college to university
Complimentary goals with minor conflicts
Maximize strengths and increases resources at both institutions
Encourage faculty collaboration with colleagues outside of their institution
Break down misperceptions that may exist between the two institutions as a result of enhanced communication

STEP Program
Goal
Introduction
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination




 Different cultures and perspectives

 for students and for administration and faculty
Finding time and willing participants
“Breaking down the walls”
Outcome difficult to quantify sometimes
Results not always seen immediately

STEP Program
Goal
Introduction
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination





Many models of collaboration exist each with its benefits and challenges
Perfect model may not be attainable in one step; may have to be implemented in stages
Not all activities require significant funding
Can build upon existing structure and grow gradually
Identify appropriate model for current circumstances and strategic goals

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
1.
Expand, diversify and incorporate new STEM degrees
2.
Develop agreements for the articulation of complete programs of study
3.
Attract and retain students through the use of scholarships
 Particularly under-represented and non-traditional students
4.
Improve the quality of and access to experiential education opportunities and student support services
5.
Increase outreach and recruitment activities

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 STEM Associate of Science Degrees at MCC
 Pre-Biology
 Pre-Biotechnology
 Pre-Chemistry
 Pre-Mathematics
 Pre-Physics
 Pre-Bioinformatics
New
 Computer Science
 Previously in place

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 New Interdisciplinary Majors at UNO
 Bioinformatics
(new degree)
 Interdisciplinary
 Computer Science (College of Information and Technology)
 Biology (College of Arts and Sciences)
 One of only a few such programs in the U.S.
 Now has 37 majors
 Many students in the program are involved in interdisciplinary research supported by STEP and other funding.

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 New Interdisciplinary Majors at UNO



Information Assurance
(area of emphasis, MIS/CS)
 Plans for conversion to an actual degree
Medicinal Chemistry
(a new degree track)
 Approved Fall 2005
Neuroscience
(proposed new degree)
 Students with this interest can currently use the
‘interdisciplinary studies’ major

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination


Avenues for progression and transfer are especially important in the STEM disciplines because of the inherent hierarchical program structure
Allows students to transition from community college to university with sense of completion and accomplishment

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination


A to B – getting Associates Degree then
Bachelors
More challenging to implement


Requires higher level of coordination
More people involved to accomplish

Now available in 7 STEM areas; MCC → UNO
Pre-Biology Pre-Chemistry
Pre-Biotechnology Pre-Mathematics
Pre-Physics Pre-Bioinformatics
Computer Science

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
STEP Scholars - $1000/semester




2004-05
 16 new scholarships awarded
 15 renewed for the second year
2005-06
 20 new scholarships awarded
 18 renewed for the second year
2006-07
 20 new scholarships awarded
 Three MCC students have applied
2008-08

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
Adult Learner Access Scholarships ALAS
 $400/semester
 50 students supported in Spring 2007

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
Bridge Scholarships at MCC
 Covers the expenses for the last quarter of study



2004-05
 4 students – 1 minority
2005-06
 16 students – 3 minority, 3 female
 First MCC student received a UNO Bridge Scholarship
2006-07
 22 students – 8 minority, 10 female

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 Faculty recruit qualified early undergraduates into a motivational research activity and then to supervise the students involved for one or more semesters.
 Focus on 1 st and 2 nd year students
 Encourages these students to consider a STEM major
 Funding provides for
 Faculty summer stipend
 Tuition waivers for students, up to 3 credits/student
 Limited funds for materials/supplies

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 Proposals selection criteria
 Evidence for successful recruitment and retention of students into a STEM major
 On what personal experience or successful external models of EUR is the is the project based?
 Number of students projected to be involved
 Sustainability
 Anticipated duration
 Is it an ongoing project or one-time?
 Will continuation require additional funding?
 If the proposed research is interdisciplinary
 Projects that specifically target underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination




2004
 6 projects, 37 students
2005
 6 projects, 24 students
2006
 7 projects funded, 40 students
2007
 12 projects funded
 93 of those 101 EUR students from years 1, 2 and 3 are currently pursuing STEM degrees

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 MCC STEP Coordinator




Recruits at area high schools and community events distributing STEP literature for both UNO and MCC
STEM programs.
 Focused on providing prospective students and their families a broad view of STEM educational opportunities.
Centralizes creation of all promotional materials
Assists with coordination of joint activities between the two institutions
The “go to” person for both institutions

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 New Graduate Teaching Assistant Positions
 UNO graduate students (4 in math currently) teach at
MCC which reimburses teaching salary to UNO
 Other departments are being encouraged to also participate

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination




How well are students acquiring important STEM knowledge, skills and concepts as defined by respective curriculum requirements at UNO and MCC?
Are the STEP activities encouraging higher levels of participation in STEM courses and programs at UNO and
MCC?
How are program and course offerings within and between
UNO and MCC meeting the needs of students in providing effective transitions between the colleges?
How are STEP project activities providing greater accessibility to STEM related areas of study and career opportunities?

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination

What are majors’ and non-majors’ perceptions, beliefs, and experiences in STEM courses?
 Do the STEP goals of inclusiveness and diversity extend beyond the students who are directly involved
(scholarships or EUR support)?
 Results suggest that the social climate in STEM courses and departments is remarkably positive.
 The results were surprising given literature indications that a negative social climate may be at least partly responsible for a lack of interest in STEM majors.

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 The Scholarship Program may be the most difficult because of its large budget
 All the scholarships offered total approximately
$100,000 per year.
 Private support for STEP scholarship endowments is being actively pursued by the Principal Investigator and the Arts & Sciences Dean in conjunction with the
Nebraska University Foundation.

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination

“Adult Learner Access Scholarships Expanded”
 ~$600,000 NSF S-STEM ( S cholarships in S cience,
T echnology, E ngineering, and M athematics)
 Proposal #0728466, submitted February 16, 2007
 Broad based scholarship program for adult learners in all of the STEM majors
 five departments in the College of Arts and Sciences,

 two departments in the College of IS&T four departments in the UNL College of Engineering
 Expands upon the current STEP grant scholarship program
 Will provide full-time adult students with financial need, a $1000 scholarship each semester until they graduate.

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination

“Taking Science for a Test Drive”
 ~$500,000 NSF-CCLI (Course Curriculum Laboratory
Improvement) in preparation for resubmission
 Significantly expands upon the STEP-EUR which it is modeled after
 Targets MCC students and UNO pre-service teachers and general non-STEM majors
 Sixty students per year, in groups of ten, will participate in two-week research experiences during summer
 Will rigorously test the assertion that EUR is an effective means of recruiting STEM majors and of positively impacting the attitudes of non-STEM majors, particularly pre-service teachers.

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination

“Small-Group Cooperative Learning in College
Math and Chemistry”
 ~$600,000 NSF-REESE (Research and Evaluation on
Education in Science and Engineering)
 Proposal #0723895, submitted January 29, 2007
 Two longitudinal studies examine multiple factors affecting small-group cooperative learning processes and their short-term and long-term outcomes
 intermediate algebra
 general chemistry

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 Math/Science Learning Center
 Proposed objective of the STEP grant
 This center will be a significant way in which the activities of the STEP grant will be institutionalized .
 Made possible by NU Foundation funding and
Excellence funding from the University.
 Modeled after similar learning centers locally and nationally.
 Virtual tour

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 Objectives
 Collaborate with math and science faculty
 Assess science education effectiveness
 Collaborate with other campus units with related missions
 Provide student learning support
 Entry level tutoring
 Course modules


Specialized instruction
Study skills training
 Peer mentoring
 Peer led team learning

Math-Science Learning Center
Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 Geowall function

Math-Science Learning Center
Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 Geowall – geology/geography

Math-Science Learning Center
Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 Geowall - math

Math-Science Learning Center
Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
 Geowall – chemistry/biology

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
300
250
200
150
Projected
Actual
100
50
0
19
97
-9
8
19
98
-9
9
19
99
-0
0
20
00
-0
1
20
01
-0
2
20
02
-0
3
20
03
-0
4
Ye ar
1
Ye ar
2
Ye ar
3
Ye ar
4
Ye ar
5

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
50
45
40
35
Projected
Actual
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
19
97
-9
8
19
98
-9
9
19
99
-0
0
20
00
-0
1
20
01
-0
2
20
02
-0
3
20
03
-0
4
Ye ar
1
Ye ar
2
Ye ar
3
Ye ar
4
Ye ar
5

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination


Be Broad Based and Inclusive
 The greatest strength of the UNO/MCC STEP grant is its breadth. It includes six UNO departments in two different colleges and two different educational institutions.
Cast a Wide Net
 There are many dynamic connections between the
UNO academic areas that make up the STEM disciplines (biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, and physics); how they will develop and grow is impossible to predict.

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination



Reach Out to Actual & Potential STEM Majors
 Science has a great intrinsic appeal. It takes some students longer than others to come to this realization; they may need extra encouragement in the meantime.
By All Indications -- Success
 Success is attributed to both the generality of the approach and to the interest and enthusiasm of the participants.
The sharing of “Best Practices” will assist institutions regardless of their level of experience in STEP.

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination
Innovative Models for Effective Collaboration between
Universities and Community Colleges , Hesham Ali, Jack Heidel,
Michele O’Connor and Dana Richter-Egger, 110th annual meeting of the higher learning commission of the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), in a Collection of
Papers in Self-Study and Institutional Improvement, Volume 1, pp. 73-75, Chicago, April 8-12, 2005 . http://avalon.unomaha.edu/step/

Introduction
Goal
STEP Program
Our Objectives
New Degrees
Articulation
Scholarships
Research
Outreach
Broader Impact
Assessment
Sustainability
Outcomes
Challenges
Dissemination





The National Science Foundation
 DUE STEP Grant #336462
The University of Nebraska at Omaha
 College and Departmental support
Metropolitan Community College
 College and Division support
The University of Nebraska System
 MSLC Excellence Funding
The NU Foundation
 MSLC Funding