Board # 10 : STEM Opportunities for Academically Capable and Financially Needy Students entitled the “University of Southern Maine STEM Scholars Program,” Award # 1153281

Abstract

Abstract STEM Opportunities for Academically Capable and Financially Needy Students entitled the “University of Southern Maine STEM Scholars Program,” Award # 1153281 Abstract The National Science Foundation awarded the University of Southern Maine with a grant for STEM Opportunities for Academically Capable and Financially Needy Students entitled the “University of Southern Maine STEM Scholars Program,” Award # 1153281. At the completion of our year five, this poster presentation provides an opportunity to present data on the success of our SSTEM program, as well as share some of the best practices learned and applied. The USM STEM Scholars Bridge Program has been a model for blending the elements of recruitment, retention, and placement into an integrated, comprehensive but non-intrusive program that promotes student success in transitioning from high schools and community colleges to University of Southern Maine. In the terms of broader Impacts: The project has provided increased awareness of opportunities for a larger, more diverse population of students, non-traditional, underrepresented and first generation, to obtain a STEM degree and to be placed in an awarding STEM job upon graduation. The Bridge Program has provided increased opportunities for a larger, more diverse population of students, non-traditional, underrepresented and first generation, to obtain a STEM degree and to be placed in an awarding STEM careers upon graduation. Major Points • Overview of S-STEM Bridge Program as the largest number of scholars graduate and enter the workforce. • Implementation strategies for STEM Learning Community, what has worked and where there are identifiable improvements. • Current retention progress in comparing the SSTEM Scholars to the greater population of STEM majors at the University of Southern Maine. • A reflection of what’s working, areas for improvement going into the last year of the integration of STEM scholars activities and objectives your academic programs • The final results on our success in graduating with more students than originally projected.