Abstract:

The research experience at undergraduate level has become essential for achieving quality education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. It not only enhances the analytical skills, time management, and motivation to pursue research careers/graduate studies, but also reduces the dropout rate. Federal agencies in U.S. realized the need of a research component in STEM undergraduate education and put forth many initiatives to introduce research experience at the undergraduate level. Grambling State University (GSU) is committed to provide high quality education for minority students and incorporated research experiences for STEM undergraduates through the support from federal and state grants. A three-pronged approach is used to engage undergraduates in research: (a) Faculty-mentored research by involving them in research grants, (b) Classroom Research Environment by introducing research oriented courses in STEM curricula such as Projects in Physics, Independent Study in Chemistry, Special topics in Mathematics, Honors thesis, Biological Research, and (c) Summer Research Internships (SRI) at research intensive graduate institutions or research laboratories. The research is supported by federal grants: NSF- Center for Mathematical Achievement in Sciences and Technology (CMAST), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Air Force, Curriculum Improvement Partnership Award for the Integration of Research into the Undergraduate Curriculum (CIPAIR) by NASA, Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) and Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) by National Institute of Health (NIH); and state grants: Louisiana Space Consortium LaACES and PACER, and Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LAMP). The research efforts, their benefits, and students’ achievements are reviewed with specific examples. The undergraduate research scholars have presented their research at several National, Regional and Local conferences, and won prizes in oral/poster competitions. Some of them have co-authored publications in peer reviewed research journals and conference proceedings. These experiences made them self-confident, high academic achievers, and to pursue graduate studies. GSU has established collaborations with nearby institutions to create a complete path from postsecondary to graduate school. On one end of the spectrum, the bridge programs supported by NASA-CIPAIR and NIH between GSU and Southern University at Shreveport (SUSLA) give SUSLA graduates a path to a four-years’ college degree, after completing the two-year associate degree. On the other end, Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech), located 5 miles away, allows GSU students to earn graduate credits during their senior year and facilitates easy access to graduate programs. The Joint Faculty Appointment Program (JFAP) between GSU and LA Tech enhances interaction between GSU and LA Tech students (both undergraduate and graduate). The JFAP has also established a Summer Outreach Program for GSU students and a 4+1 program, where GSU students complete a Master’s degree in one extra year after graduating from GSU. GSU College of Arts and Sciences conducts Annual Research Symposium in STEM fields and invited seminars by scientists from research institutions/laboratories/industries that help to establish networking for future collaborations, summer internships, and graduate admissions.

Keywords:

Undergraduate research, STEM education, bridge program, summer research internships, motivation to graduate studies.