MIT Physics Diversity SummitJan. 25, 2010

The Pre-Major in Astronomy Program (Pre-MAP)

Kevin CoveyFor the Pre-MAP team in the University of

Washington’s Astronomy Dept.

Take home messages

Research-focused interventions (such as Pre-MAP) increase under-represented students’ persistence in STEM fields

Departmental diversity efforts (such as Pre-MAP) can benefit a broad range of participants (inc. grad students, post-docs, faculty)

Context

Diversity discussions ongoing in dept. 2+ years

Diversity plan recently released

What next?

Spend other people’s money!

Context

Diversity discussions ongoing in dept. 2+ years

Diversity plan recently released

What next?

Spend other people’s money!

Importance of the Pre-Major Period

Building Engineering & Science Talent (BEST) Report, Feb. 2004

Advanced Degrees in Science and Engineering Total: 121,000

Bachelor’s Degrees in Science and Engineering Total: 391,000

First Time Freshmen Interested in Science and Engineering Total: 647,000

First Time Freshmen Total: 2,194,000

High School Graduates Total: 2,485,000

Non-Minority Men Minority Men Minority Women Non-Minority Women

6%

37%

34%

41%

45%

56%

40%

31%

41%

37%

4%

5%

35%

9%

12%

10%

12% 14%

15%

16%

Milestones in Higher EducationEducation Milestones by Race/Ethnicity and Gender

(Rounded Numbers)

Importance of the Pre-Major Period

Ishanti 2006 (Journal of Higher Ed., vol. 77, iss. 5, pg. 861)

Research as a Tool to Reduce Attrition

Can decrease attrition by 25% (7.2% from 9.6% for 1,280 students in controlled sample. Nagda et al. 1998, Rev. Higher Ed. 22.1 55)

Produces self-reported increases in:

confidence in research skills (Seymour 2004)

interest in STEM careers (Zydney 2002)

intent to obtain a PhD (Hathaway 2002).

Pre-MAP: Retaining First Year College Students

see http://www.astro.washington.edu/users/premap

Pre-MAP: Goal & Tools

Graduate In STEM in Astronomy

Tools:

Research motivation & scientific skills

Tutoring & advising strong academic background

Mentorship navigate institutions

Cohort building support network in crises

Pre-MAP: Structure

Autumn quarter seminar

5 weeks: instruction in research skills (e.g. Unix)

5 weeks: small group research projects (self-selected!) with faculty/post-doc/grad mentors

interspersed:

academic prep. (time management, exam reviews)

community building: observing nights, final quarter presentations

link to Astro 102: math based intro course

Pre-MAP: Structure

Winter-Spring:

continue research symposium presentation

field trips

ongoing advising/mentoring

Pre-MAP: Longevity

Pre-MAP: Impact for Students

3 Pre-MAP graduating seniors 2 STEM grad students

Pre-MAP: Impact for Students

Pre-MAP: Impact for (Grad.) Students

Pre-MAP run with significant grad. student leadership

1 Prof., 1 staff, 4 postdocs, ~8 grads

Provides venue for grads to develop leadership, mentorship, organizational skills

Builds community at grad level

Pre-MAP: Impact for Faculty/Dept.

Ready-made broader impact statements

Institutional prestige w/ administrators & students

Greater cross-section w/ students & understanding of capabilities

Exporting Pre-MAP

Resource requirements:

Relatively low financial overhead (2 TA slots, part time staff)

Significant time commitment (~8 grads, 4 postdocs volunteering time)

Pre-MAP model documented:

Handbook describing curriculum, logistics, mentoring tips, etc.

http://www.astro.washington.edu/users/premap/diy/premap.html

Take home messages

Research-focused interventions (such as Pre-MAP) increase under-represented students’ persistence in STEM fields

Departmental diversity efforts (such as Pre-MAP) can benefit a broad range of participants (inc. grad students, post-docs, faculty)

Thanks & Questions!