New chemistry curriculum projects will launch through LAS Student Success Initiative

Date
05/23/22
Several projects have received funding under the new LAS Student Success Initiative.

Two projects to enhance the student experience in the Department of Chemistry will launch this year through the College of LAS Student Success Initiative.

The college issued a call for LAS Student Success Initiative proposals earlier this year and received a number of applications. Funding was granted for ideas that led to innovative and inclusive curricula and/or pedagogy, took advantage of new technologies and lessons from the pandemic to enhance ways of learning, created and supported diverse student experiences, increased access and opportunities for historically underserved students, and addressed the recruitment and retention of first-generation students and historically underrepresented ethnic and racial minority students.

  • Mentoring and paid co-curricular experiences for LAS Merit students in STEM

    Proposal team: Elise McCarren, Department of Chemistry; Jennifer McNeilly, Department of Mathematics; Lily Arias, School of Integrative Biology; and Alejandra Stenger, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology.

    Description: “In order to support success and retention of underrepresented, first-generation, and rural LAS STEM majors, the LAS Merit Programs are proposing to establish 1) a second eight-week fall course and full semester spring course that includes both a majors-based mentoring network and professional development for LAS Merit students, and 2) sponsorship of paid major-related co-curricular experiences for LAS Merit students, including but not limited to undergraduate research, teaching, and other laboratory experiences.”
  • Reimaging the general chemistry experience: Enhancing learning outcomes and fostering belonging for under-represented students in STEM and pre-health majors

    Proposal team: Tina H. Huang, Department of Chemistry; Gretchen Adams, College of Applied Health Sciences; and Jennifer Cromley, Department of Educational Psychology.

    Description: “This pilot course in General Chemistry I (CHEM 102) will implement best practices in chemical education and educational psychology to help students improve and enhance learning outcomes, especially for minoritized students who are interested in pursuing careers in the health professions and in STEM disciplines. Thus, we propose to develop a first semester (CHEM 102) general chemistry course that incorporates the best practices in chemical education and educational psychology that addresses the diverse needs of our minoritized students… This will entail developing innovative and equitable approaches to the five areas of our current course structure of CHEM 102.”

Read the full story about all five initiatives on the LAS website.

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