Work in progress - STEM Learning Community @ FAMU

Abstract

This work in progress is a National Science Foundation funded project proposed to move Florida Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) University to the next level of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) student achievement by applying a holistic approach to educating the STEM student. The project goal is to improve the overall quality of STEM education at the University by increasing its efficiency in producing quality graduates. This change will be achieved through the introduction of a STEM Learning Community (LC) at Florida A&M. Learning communities have been shown to improve retention rates, increase student learning and achievement, increase faculty engagement, and lessen the feelings of isolation some students feel on large campuses. Student perceptions and misconceptions about careers and the connections to course curricula has been a point of significant interest. The Learning Community has also begun to bridge the gap between faculty and students which proved to be a tool for retention of students in the majors. The employment of the learning community model has begun to fundamentally change the delivery of STEM education at Florida A&M University.