CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Creating a Faculty Fellows Community: Developing Collaboration Through Facilitation Ellene Tratras Contis Creative Scientific Inquiry Experiences - CSIE Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti MI 48197 Transforming STEM Education: Innovation, Inquiry, and Evidence AAC&U San Diego 1 November 2013

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Creating a Faculty Fellows Community Goals and Activities In addition, we have preliminary assessment results as benchmarks - formative evaluation. Use of midterm in class evaluation of course and faculty, focus groups, attitude surveys… More accumulation of data will help us tweak program for systemic change at the University. Developing Collaboration Through Facilitation

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Setting Up Goals of this Workshop Goals By the end of this workshop you will: Develop a basic understanding of the CSIE Program by learning about its design, its implementation and results. Know how to explore possible implementations at your institution. What things to look out for in order to have a successful implementation of this approach. Goals and Activities In addition, we have preliminary assessment results as benchmarks - formative evaluation. Use of midterm in class evaluation of course and faculty, focus groups, attitude surveys… More accumulation of data will help us tweak program for systemic change at the University.

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Activities of this Workshop Activities CSIE Program Overview (presentation) Exploring Possible Implementations (group activity) Keys for a Successful Implementation (presentation and discussion) Goals and Activities In addition, we have preliminary assessment results as benchmarks - formative evaluation. Use of midterm in class evaluation of course and faculty, focus groups, attitude surveys… More accumulation of data will help us tweak program for systemic change at the University.

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Creating a Faculty Fellows Community CSIE Program Overview In addition, we have preliminary assessment results as benchmarks - formative evaluation. Use of midterm in class evaluation of course and faculty, focus groups, attitude surveys… More accumulation of data will help us tweak program for systemic change at the University. Developing Collaboration Through Facilitation

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Motivation – Decreasing Disparity in Workforce Faculty and Administration: Concern about progress towards graduation Intervention strategies to retain students Faculty committed to student success and teaching; Maintaining their own intellectual vitality; Partnering with students in making connections The overall motivation is to increase graduation rates of students entering the STEM and STEM-related fields. CSIE Program Overview Over several years, we have been concerned about the retention of STEM students and their progress towards graduation. We tried several pedagogical strategies, developed new courses, studied and implemented some interventions to retain students. We also noticed that many of our students are from the UNDERSERVED population -- women and underrepresetned groups. In our attempts to improve the ability to train STEM majors and to decrease the disparity of students entering STEM fields, this CSIE PROJECT was conceived.

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Why do Undergraduates leave STEM fields? Three-year comprehensive study (E. Seymour and N. Hewitt) found that there is a national loss between 40–60 % undergraduates from STEM majors to non-science disciplines. Reasons: Lack or loss of interest in science; Belief that non-STEM majors hold more interest; Poor teaching by STEM faculty; Overwhelmed by pace and workload of the curriculum. CSIE Program Overview Elaine Seymour and Nancy M. Hewitt reported on a 3-year, 7 campus study (large medium and small liberal arts) in 1977. Book, Talking About Leaving: Why Undergraduates Leave the Sciences, Offers explanations for loss including African American and female students. “Talking About Leaving: Why Undergraduates Leave the Sciences”, Elaine Seymour and Nancy M. Hewitt.

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Changes in STEM Education STEM education has moved beyond the discipline-based model to outcomes-based instruction that enables students to: Construct their own understanding of concepts; Internalize relationships between concept/processes; Develop critical thinking skills; Integrate concepts with everyday experiences. CSIE Program Overview Treisman model (MTH) seems to attract students who succeed with experiential learning, small group work, learning interventions. Nationally funded projects Treisman Model, Mathematics at Berkley, L. Gilman (1990)

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Outcomes-based Instruction Programs that attract/sustain student interest feature learning that is: Experiential (hands-on); Investigative; Personally significant to students/faculty; Connected to other inquiries; Suggestive of practical application to students’ lives. CSIE Program Overview

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Means to Increase STEM Graduates CSIE project is focus on innovative pedagogical design and course delivery including: Academic Service-Learning; Customized academic support; Career exploration and mentorship; Interdisciplinary theme-based experiences (faculty developed). CSIE Program Overview AS-L is a philosophy of teaching that connects community and their needs to academics. Social justice components: - AS-L experiences show first hand to our students those areas where disparity in health exists; - allows for more thoughtful and reflective way of serving students into health fields.

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 CSIE STEM Faculty Development Course Development Student Development CSIE CSIE Program Overview We have a committed faculty who teach at EMU because of their genuine interest to help students. We know that learning flourishes in a supportive University community where faculty are committed to teaching, maintaining their own individual vitality, and partner with students in learning and making connection to the real world. Our students come from about a 50 mile radius and majority are first time in any college. So this project focuses on a creative scientific inquiry experience (CSIE) to develop students, faculty and the curriculum together. Developing experiences not only for students, also for faculty and the curriculum as - we feel is the best way to institute change and have any hope of sustainability.

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 CSIE Program Goals Improve retention of students who are academically prepared and interested in STEM; Provide cohesive learning experiences for both faculty and student; Progress students to upper-level courses With a deeper understanding of course content; Participation in community-based problem solving. The Creative Scientific Inquiry (CSIE) approach focuses mainly on STEM students in the first two years of studies. CSIE Program Overview Our federally-funded 5-year project (we are in year 2)… CSIEs are theme-based course clusters of usually three courses, two gateway courses and CSIE seminar anchoring the cluster. STEM is for all science, technology, engineering, mathematics. EMU has engineering technology programs - polymers and coatings also.

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 CSIE Course Development Identified gateway courses in STEM curricula Computer Science - Introduction to Programming - Programming Data Structures Physics - Mechanics Sound & Heat - Electricity & Light Biology - Introductory Biology I - Introductory Biology II CSIE Program Overview Mathematics - College Algebra - Plane Trigonometry - Pre-Calculus - Calculus I - Calculus II These are examples of gateway STEM courses. Project focus on first two years. Are required general education courses. Prerequisites to higher level STEM courses. Chemistry - General Chemistry I - General Chemistry II Geology - Dynamic Earth Systems

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 CSIE Student Development CSIE Student Perspective: Since first-year students are unsure of themselves, faculty need to become aware / employ strategies for success; Second semester students are more mature and more easily adapt to CSIE Program; One-credit seminar is perceived as too much work; Students perception of “Academic Support” means study hall; Entering students do not know what to expect in a research environment; Students appreciate the Book / Supply Loan. CSIE Program Overview Academic support is interpreted by students from high school to mean study hall, a place to do their homework, so they are not prepared to work on a project. Book loan program gives students their texts for STEM classes.

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 CSIE Faculty Development CSIE Faculty Fellows: Participate in Faculty Development Institute; Are tenure-track faculty at the University; Develop course clusters with faculty from different STEM fields; Provide cross discipline discussion on connections; Learn about Academic Service-Learning and pedagogy strategies; Develop team approach to research-oriented community-based research. CSIE Program Overview

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Creating a Faculty Fellows Community Implementing a Faculty Fellows Community In addition, we have preliminary assessment results as benchmarks - formative evaluation. Use of midterm in class evaluation of course and faculty, focus groups, attitude surveys… More accumulation of data will help us tweak program for systemic change at the University. Developing Collaboration Through Facilitation

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Resource Guide CSIE Model Creating a Faculty Learning Community Academic Service-Learning Resources Implementing Faculty Community

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 CSIE Model Course Development Faculty Development Student Development Implementing Faculty Community

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Creating a Faculty Learning Community Creating an Atmosphere of Collaboration Activities to Encourage Collaboration Selected readings Brainstorming and reflections Process checks with evaluators Team statements of direction Team concept map Syllabus collaboration Implementing Faculty Community

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Lessons Learned… CSIE Faculty Professional Development: Faculty Fellows are committed, creative and dedicated and have good rapport with students; Discussion on an integrated STEM curriculum continues; Concept mapping on integrating course content was developed; Faculty fellows developed a team approach to research- oriented community based research; Fear of working across disciplines and with community partners caused anxiety about participation in the program. Implementing Faculty Community In addition, we have preliminary assessment results as benchmarks - formative evaluation. Use of midterm in class evaluation of course and faculty, focus groups, attitude surveys… More accumulation of data will help us tweak program for systemic change at the University.

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Creating a Faculty Fellows Community Keys for Successful Implementation In addition, we have preliminary assessment results as benchmarks - formative evaluation. Use of midterm in class evaluation of course and faculty, focus groups, attitude surveys… More accumulation of data will help us tweak program for systemic change at the University. Developing Collaboration Through Facilitation

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Meals on Wheels Routing and Cost College Algebra (three credits) Introduction to Computer Programming (three credits) CSIE Seminar “When will We Ever Use This?” (1 credit) Students are using algebraic methods, graphical analysis, and computer programming to produce efficient routing systems for the Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels program. Faculty Fellows: Joanne Caniglia, Krish Narayanan Implementing Faculty Community Incoming students were introduced to this community organization which connects them to the elderly, and to those who can not leave home due to disabilities or illness. It gave students insights into working with optimizing routes, but at a human level. Students learned that program was not only for the elderly. That needs of timing also had to be folded into algorithm (diabetics need for timely food service).

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Cyanobacteria in the Huron River Watershed Introductory Biology I (four credits) General Chemistry I (five credits) CSIE Seminar “Natural Nature?” (one credit) Students are characterizing Cyanobacteria in Ford Lake and are collecting, analyzing, and reporting on their algae samples to the Huron River Watershed Council. Faculty Fellows: Steve Pernecky, Steve Francoeur Marty Brown Implementing Faculty Community Students leaned need to protect environment and well s learn to take representative samples. In Stonefly census, students became ethically aware that counting the insects, also killed them as they hibernated in the snow at the Huron River. Collecting samples became a topic of discussion, something not ever realized in a classroom only setting.

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Chemistry / Biology CSIE Example Project: Analyzing the cyanobacteria in Ford Lake along with and for the Huron River Watershed Council, which is the ‘go-to’ group for any issues of water quality in the area. • Doable for freshmen biology and chemistry students--something that we can train them to do and they can complete within the semester. Service will reinforce the academic content of both classes. Service that meets community partner needs. Implementing Faculty Community Three students actually presented at the prestigious UG Symposium with their findings (freshmen!).

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Creating a Faculty Fellows Community Time to Explore! In addition, we have preliminary assessment results as benchmarks - formative evaluation. Use of midterm in class evaluation of course and faculty, focus groups, attitude surveys… More accumulation of data will help us tweak program for systemic change at the University. Developing Collaboration Through Facilitation

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 STEM Course Development Faculty Partners and Common Themes Community Partner and Theme Selection Review of Literature Course Development Learning Outcomes Course and Student Assessment Implementation Keys to Successful Implementation In addition, we have preliminary assessment results as benchmarks - formative evaluation. Use of midterm in class evaluation of course and faculty, focus groups, attitude surveys… More accumulation of data will help us tweak program for systemic change at the University.

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Creating a Faculty Fellows Community Why are we doing this? In addition, we have preliminary assessment results as benchmarks - formative evaluation. Use of midterm in class evaluation of course and faculty, focus groups, attitude surveys… More accumulation of data will help us tweak program for systemic change at the University. Developing Collaboration Through Facilitation

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Goals to Increase STEM Graduates CSIE project is focused on innovative pedagogical design and course delivery including: Academic Service-Learning; Customized academic support; Career exploration and mentorship; Interdisciplinary theme-based experiences developed by faculty. Implementing Faculty Community Our assessment is showing that the goals to increase student awareness in the sciences is a transforming moment Versus non-CSIE students. It is how faculty experience how the students connect the sciences with the project.

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Project Success: An increased number of EMU STEM graduates and majors, especially those from underrepresented groups; A faculty using innovative pedagogy; An improved and sustainable integrated curriculum. Implementing Faculty Community

CSIE - Eastern Michigan University 11/1/2013 Contact Information For more information visit our website: www.emich.edu/csie Funded by the National Science Foundation STEP Type I program (#0525514) Thank you for your attention. I’d be happy to address any questions or comments you might have. Good afternoon….