A YEARLONG, SKILL-FOCUSED, REU EXPERIENCE FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS (Invited Presentation)

More than half of freshmen selecting a STEM major at the beginning of college leave these fields before graduation (Chen, 2009); at two-year colleges, the attrition rate is nearly 70% (Chen, 2013). Undergraduate research, if done early and well, can engage students to achieve diverse cognitive and behavioral outcomes (CCURI, 2014; Kuh, 2008; Lopatto, 2009), advance student learning (Kardash, 2000; Lopatto, 2003), increase the likelihood of earning a degree, and retain underrepresented students (Nagda et al., 1998). Transformative undergraduate research experiences are perhaps most critical at two-year colleges as these institutions enroll 45% of all undergraduates, including 52% of black, 57% of Hispanic, 43% of Asian/Pacific Islander, and 62% of Native American students (AACC, 2016). Within these numbers lies an opportunity for community colleges to impact the trajectory of this diverse population. Creating effective research experiences for this population presents many challenges, including substantial work and family obligations, the high percentage of underprepared students, and a lack of STEM identity, particularly among first generation and underrepresented students.

In 2014, the Seattle Colleges received a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF; award 1358835). This unique program pulls from 16 local community colleges, providing skills-focused research experiences in marine sciences to early career science students. Unlike traditional REU programs, the program is a yearlong experience with monthly cohort meetings to facilitate participation of place-bound students with complex lives. Essential skills are taught and assessed in a supportive learning environment. An external partner, the Ocean Inquiry Project, provides disciplinary expertise and equipment. In this model, students work in teams to generate and pursue their own, authentic research question. While their results contribute to a deeper understanding of the Puget Sound environment, the larger goal is building resilience and skills in this population of future STEM professionals. This presentation provides an overview of essential design elements of the yearlong experience and student outcomes from the first three cohorts of students in the Seattle Colleges REU.