The NSF awarded an S-STEM grant to the College of Mount Saint Vincent in 2018 to provide financial, social and academic support, to improve academic performance, retention, degree completion and post-baccalaureate opportunities for students in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry. The student population at the College is primarily first generation and/or minority. One of the main factors determining success in this population is the time students have available to study, both during the academic year and during the Summer, as many have to work extensive hours to subsidize their own studies. The S-STEM Phase II grant was only distributed to students who were Pell-eligible, thus demonstrating a financial need, and met SAT requirements. In addition to lightning the financial burden of attaining a higher education degree, the grant sought to address whether enhancements in scientific literacy early in their academic careers contributed to persistence and successful completion of their degrees. The scientific literacy course, taken during the students’ freshman year, was designed to enhance the ability of students to read, comprehend and interpret scientific literature, apply scientific principles to new situations and develop their scientific writing skills. As students’ progress through their major other career-development and research opportunities will be available.<br/>Student outcomes will be used to evaluate whether financial and academic support, cohort building, close mentorship and career and research opportunities bolster the success of underrepresented students in STEM fields. This will be assessed by their academic performance in science courses, compared to same-year students, 4-year graduation rates and scores in the major field aptitude test.

Enhancements in scientific literacy as a means to improve academic success and retention in underrepresented STEM students

ACS Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.