Fostering Undergraduate Research with a Nontraditional Student Population

Abstract

Involvement in undergraduate research experiences influences a student's confidence and identity as a scientist. At traditional undergraduate institutions, undergraduate research requires a large commitment of a student's time. For summer research experiences, students are often required to dedicate the entirety of their time during the duration of the program and are restricted from working or taking classes. Metropolitan State University, of St. Paul, Minnesota, serves primarily older students (mean age of approximately 31) with diverse backgrounds. A large majority (63%) of our population attends part-time due to employment and familial responsibilities. Undergraduate research opportunities have been designed to better accommodate our students' more restrictive schedules. The independent study course has been limited to two credits, which equates to 60 hours of laboratory time per semester. The course has been designed to maximize the experience for students, through incorporation of essential soft skill assessments to better prepare students for industry or academic career paths in an effort to create a fulfilling experience.

Cultivating Success through Undergraduate Research Experience in a Historically Black College and University

“…As indicated by my colleagues, the involvement of undergraduates in research experiences influences the students’ confidence and identity as chemists . Furthermore, studies show that early involvement of underrepresented minorities in research fosters students interest and competency in STEM subjects and research. , Dr. Njoki’s engagement of students through faculty research and mentorship has led to 6 underrepresented high school students , and 10 undergraduates getting interested in chemistry and participating in materials science research. , The high school students were introduced, engaged, and mentored in nanoscience research in a six-week summer program that culminated with a poster session.…”

“…Using Materials Science Research to Engage K−12 and Undergraduate Students in STEM (Dr. Njoki) As indicated by my colleagues, the involvement of undergraduates in research experiences influences the students' confidence and identity as chemists. 38 Furthermore, studies show that early involvement of underrepresented minorities in research fosters students interest and competency in STEM subjects and research. 39,40 Dr. Njoki's engagement of students through faculty research and mentorship has led to 6 underrepresented high school students 32,41 and 10 undergraduates getting interested in chemistry 41 and participating in materials science research.…”

Embedded Video Questions as a Low-Stakes Assignment During the Remote Learning Transition

“…A comprehensive, urban university, we have small classes, capped at 24 students, with a focus on nontraditional students. 7 English is a second (or third, or fourth) language for approximately one-third to one-half our students; Metropolitan State University's demographics reflects the Twin Cities with large populations of Somali Americans and Hmong Americans. Many of our students are working adults, some in positions deemed "essential" during the pandemic, with caregiving roles as either parents or those responsible for elder care.…”

“…Metropolitan State University, a member of the Minnesota State system, serves the Twin Cities region with bachelor’s level chemistry (Chemistry BS), biochemistry (Biochemistry BS), and biology (Biology BS) programs requiring organic chemistry. A comprehensive, urban university, we have small classes, capped at 24 students, with a focus on nontraditional students . English is a second (or third, or fourth) language for approximately one-third to one-half our students; Metropolitan State University’s demographics reflects the Twin Cities with large populations of Somali Americans and Hmong Americans.…”

La evaluación de los obstáculos a la investigación por parte de estudiantes universitarios: construcción de una escala [The Assessment of Obstacles to Research by College Students: Building a Scale]

“…El primer contacto con las investigaciones científicas suele producirse en las instituciones de educación superior, donde el estudiante tiene la oportunidad de reflexionar sus inquietudes intelectuales, de desarrollar su capacidad de búsqueda y lectura crítica, de proponer alternativas con argumentación, y de presentar los resultados en forma escrita u oral mediante una metodología acorde a sus objetivos de estudio (Ries y Dimick, 2018). Por tanto, las universidades se constituyen en un contexto propicio para que el alumno participe en los diversos proyectos de investigación promovidos por dichos centros; de ahí que se considere a la investigación como un eje transversal en la educación superior, para fomentar el pensamiento analítico-crítico en los estudiantes universitarios (Mtshali y Sooryamoorthy, 2018).…”