Building a Continuum to Educate Future Generations of Scientists and Engineers
Presentation Type
Interactive Presentation
Location
Student Union, Key West 218 C
Start Date
25-9-2009 4:10 PM
End Date
25-9-2009 4:30 PM
Description/Abstract
As a nation we face a critical shortage of scientists and engineers; a need pivotal to our economic growth. High schools and graduate schools have long-established programs addressing this demand. You and I are here today to build a continuum between these two programs. Over the last decade universities established undergraduate research programs. Undergraduate peer-reviewed research journals and poster presentations at professional conferences developed vital communication skills. Economics, accessibility, and learning support have generated unprecedented increases in community college enrollment. Some universities report transfers comprise up to one- third of their undergraduates. This, then, is the final link in the continuum. Seminole Community College’s new Undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Research Program provides a two- semester research experience joining undergraduates and dual-enrollment students with scientist/engineer/mathematician mentors from Central Florida universities and research laboratories. The laboratory experience is supple- mented by Saturday seminars addressing the research log, critical review of the literature, experimental design, statistical analysis methods, abstract and research paper preparation, seminar and poster presentation guidelines, and research ethics. While still a “work-in-progress,” SCC’s new program forges an important link in a continuum educating future generations of scientists and engineers.
Building a Continuum to Educate Future Generations of Scientists and Engineers
Student Union, Key West 218 C
As a nation we face a critical shortage of scientists and engineers; a need pivotal to our economic growth. High schools and graduate schools have long-established programs addressing this demand. You and I are here today to build a continuum between these two programs. Over the last decade universities established undergraduate research programs. Undergraduate peer-reviewed research journals and poster presentations at professional conferences developed vital communication skills. Economics, accessibility, and learning support have generated unprecedented increases in community college enrollment. Some universities report transfers comprise up to one- third of their undergraduates. This, then, is the final link in the continuum. Seminole Community College’s new Undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Research Program provides a two- semester research experience joining undergraduates and dual-enrollment students with scientist/engineer/mathematician mentors from Central Florida universities and research laboratories. The laboratory experience is supple- mented by Saturday seminars addressing the research log, critical review of the literature, experimental design, statistical analysis methods, abstract and research paper preparation, seminar and poster presentation guidelines, and research ethics. While still a “work-in-progress,” SCC’s new program forges an important link in a continuum educating future generations of scientists and engineers.