The KEYSTONE Program: A Model for STEM Student Success and Retention at a Small Liberal Arts College

An online research immersion program to increase introductory science student confidence and science identity

“…The computational curriculum we have used for Research Week introduces key biological concepts and skills, and requires no lab space, although it does depend on personnel‐graduate student mentors and an experienced teacher (postdoctoral scholar or faculty member) familiar with inclusive pedagogies. Another virtual STEM bootcamp CURE implemented as one part of the KEYSTONE curriculum at Elmhurst College 60 showed similar effects of connecting students to key offices and people on campus and building student confidence, science identity, and belonging 61 . While we created this remote Research Week experience as a response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, it could also be useful as a research immersion program option for schools with limited laboratory resources or funding.…”

Science Bootcamp Goes Virtual: A Compressed, Interdisciplinary Online CURE Promotes Psychosocial Gains in STEM Transfer Students

“…Our CURE model can support and integrate with STEM curricular modifications across disciplines. In fact, at Elmhurst University, the Science Bootcamp represents the most significant and most successful intervention in place to support STEM student success across all STEM majors ( 18 ).…”

“…The online Science Bootcamp was co-taught by three STEM faculty from different disciplines or subdisciplines (the co-authors), with occasional project support from peer mentors (upper-level STEM majors), providing breadth to the project mentoring ( 39 ). Peer mentor selection occurred as previously described, specifically focusing on junior and senior STEM transfer students who showed an “ambassador skill set” ( 18 ). The Bootcamp was held in August 2020, 2 weeks prior to the STEM transfer students’ first semester at our 4-year university.…”

“…We previously developed a CURE model (Science Bootcamp) in response to institutional needs demanding greater support of first-year STEM majors ( 18 , 19 ). The Science Bootcamp CURE is one piece in a series of interventions within the KEYSTONE (KEYs to Success Through year ONE) Program.…”