Hispanic Serving InstitutionSTEM & Articulation Program

California State University, Long Beach

Natalia Gatdula, MPHProject Coordinator

Grant Background

Title III, Part F Grant # P031C110151 Funded by the U.S. Department of

Education October 1, 2011 – September 30, 2016

Co-Principal Investigators

Alvaro Monge, Ph.D.Professor

Department of Computer Engineering & Computer Science

Eric Marinez, Ph.D.Associate Professor

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Susan Gomez-Zwiep, Ph.D.Associate Professor

Department of Science Education

Britt Rios-Ellis, Ph.D.Professor/Director

Department of Health ScienceNCLR/CSULB Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation, and Leadership

Training

Evaluator: Gino Galvez, Ph.D.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM)

College of Engineering (COE) NCLR/CSULB Center for Latino Community

Health, Evaluation, and Leadership Training

Program Rationale

CSULB was designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2005 Current Latino student enrollment is 30.8%

Current programs like Research Initiative for Science Enhancement (RISE) and Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) select from a small pool of URMs with high academic standing Does not address the needs of minority students

who are at most risk for attrition, based on academic performance

Goal

Summer Bridge to The Beach

9-week research program to facilitate transfer students’ transition from the community colleges to the CSULB campus.

Winter Research Experience

2-week research experience to ignite students’ interest in research.

The overall aim is to increase the number of Latino students attaining degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), by increasing academic performance and retention.

Objectives

Research experience should increase: each student’s ability to apply content and skills

learned in the classroom to research, their understanding of the research process and

the notion that science is a creative process that advances further knowledge,

their knowledge of ethical conduct in their field, and

their ability to interpret results in research and draw conclusions.

Program Overview

Participation in an active research project in the student’s major or research interest area

Faculty mentorship Academic and professional development

workshops Monetary stipend Travel funds to attend a STEM-centered

conference

Methodology

All data collection instruments were approved by CSULB Institutional Review Board

Data collection process Informed Consent Demographic survey Pre – Questionnaire Post - Questionnaire

Demographic Data

WRE (n= 21) SB (n = 8)

Gender

Female 66.7% (14) 50% (4)

Mean Age 21.6 (SD = 2.1) 22.1 (SD = 1.95)

Ethnicity

Latino/Hispanic 100.0% (21) 100.0% (8)

Other - 37.5% (3)

First Generation Educated 85.7% (18) 71.4% (5)

Degree College

Natural Sciences & Math 76.2% (16) 25.0% (2)

Engineering 19.0 % (4) 62.5% (5)

Both 4.8% (1) -

Other - 12.5% (1)

WRE (n= 21) SB (n = 8)

Class Ranking

Sophomore (30 – 59 units) 19.0% (4) -

Junior (60 – 89 units) 38.1% (8) 87.5% (7)

Senior (90 units) 42.9% (9) 12.5% (1)

Previous Research Experience

No 76.2% (16) 100.0% (8)

Academic Goal

Baccalaureate degree 4.8% (1) -

Master’s degree 42.9% (9) 42.9% (3)

Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) 33.3% (7) 42.9% (3)

Medical degree (MD) 19.0% (4) 12.5% (1)

Research Environment

4.8%

57.1%9.5%

28.6%

WRE

IndividuallyUndergraduate studentsGraduate studentsBoth, undergrad & grad students

37.5%

12.5%

50.0%

SB

Preliminary Results

Mean Differences at Pre/Post

31 pairs 16% no change 71% positive change 13% negative change

Pre and Post Questions Mean difference

Std. Deviation t Sig.

(2-tailed)

I have skills in interpreting results -.34483 .55265 -3.360 .002

I am ready for more demanding research -.41379 1.01831 -2.188 .037

I understand how knowledge is constructed -.41379 .90701 -2.457 .020

I understand the research process in my field -.7910 1.04810 -4.075 .000

I have the ability to integrate theory and practice -.51724 .73779 -3.775 .001

I understand how scientists work on real problems -.68966 1.07250 -3.463 .002

I have learned about ethical conduct in my field -.48276 1.02193 -2.544 .017

I have self-confidence -.17241 .07139 -2.415 .023

I understand how scientists think -.27586 .13946 -1.978 .058

*p = .05

WRE (n= 21) SB (n = 8)

Met Expectations 81% (17) 62.5% (5)

Overall Experience

Fair 14.3% (3) 28.6% (2)

Good 28.6% (6) 14.3% (1)

Excellent 57.1% (12) 57.3% (4)

Confirmed interest in field 90.1% (19) 75% (6)

“Actually being in a research lab motivates you to continue working hard in your classes and feel like you are contributing to science.” (Male, Science Major)

“ I believe it’s a fantastic experience to be part of and it helps you get to know professors and other individuals that help your future become more possible by introducing you to the many opportunities out there.” (Female, Science Major)

“This experience gives a great understanding of what a student’s strengths and weaknesses are in their field of study. Also gives an opportunity for networking.”(Female, Engineering Major)

“It helped me boost my motivation and encouraged me to keep being a science major. I enjoyed that I had other undergraduates with me and how my professor explained and answered all my questions until I understood what we were doing and why.” (Female, Science Major)

Student Feedback

Conclusion

Both research programs show promising results Follow up data will be obtained from the Office

of Institutional Research at the end of each academic year to track academic progress and retention.

To date several students have continued in the lab with the faculty they were matched with

- Students have presented at local and national conferences, and have also co-authored manuscripts

Contact Information

Natalia GatdulaProject Coordinator

CSULB HSI STEM Program6300 State University Drive Suite 125

Long Beach, CA 90815562-985-1770

natalia.gatdula@csulb.edu