Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

Welcome!Impacts of Operation STEM

Kristen Schuler in collaboration with

Corinne Sandor

February 18th, 2014Cleveland State University – Math Club

3:00pm

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

• What is Operation STEM?• Changes in PreCalculus Program• SPT Sessions• Additional Support

• Benefits of Operation STEMImpacts of the Program• Data/Statistics • Students• STEM Peer Teachers

• Questions

Agenda

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

What is Operation STEM?Overview and Background

The purpose of NSF-STEP grants is to increase the number of STEM graduates in U.S. Colleges and Universities.

Operation STEM was created at CSU to increase the number of students who successfully complete the calculus sequence (PreCalculus – Calculus) and graduate with a STEM degree.

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

PreCalculus Program ChangesOperation STEM targets FTFT* Freshman pursuing a STEM degree, and provides them with:

A community of peers Class size capped at 37 students

Preparation & assistance in Precalculus and Calculus

• Mandatory 2 extra hours per week of structured learning assistance

• Project Based Learning / Application Problems

• STEM Peer Teacher (SPT) instruction, mentoring, and personal attention

*FTFT = First Time Full Time

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

PreCalculus Program ChangesSPT Sessions

SPT Session - 1 hour structured learning assistance session twice a week taught by STEM Peer Teachers

STEM Peer teachers reinforce PreCalculus concepts

Concepts are enforced and applied using Project/Problem Based Learning

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

PreCalculus Program Changes Additional Support

Mandatory and Optional Office Hours

Study Sessions

Exam Preparation Sessions

Homework Help

Supplemental Worksheets, Activities, and Videos

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

Benefits of Operation STEMOpSTEM Scholars

2-weeks, 8-days Immediately before start of Fall semester

They engaged in:

Explore CSU Activities

Visits from STEM Guest Speakers

College Success Workshops

A Review of Precalculus Skills

Summer Institute 2013

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

Benefits of Operation STEMOpSTEM Scholars

Academic Support & Mentoring for Precalculus I & II

Summer Calculus I

OpSTEM Scholar Outings

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

How have these changes impacted the

PreCalculus Courses, SPTs, and Students thus far?

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

Impacts of Operation STEM 2013 Summer Institute

Refreshed PRE-Precalculus skills -- more prepared for Fall Precalculus I course

Increased knowledge of: CSU resources, organizational & time management

skills, how to interact with professors STEM Guest Speakers: positive, encouraging &

influential; provided helpful career information

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

Impacts of Operation STEM 2013 Summer Institute cont.

OpSTEM Scholars were more confident on first day, fewer “unknowns”.

Bonded as a cohort

STEM Peer Teachers have gained valuable teaching, coaching, mentoring, organizational skills, and work experience.

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

Impacts of OpSTEM Results of Our First OpSTEM Semester

Over the 6 years at CSU, highest Precalculus I pass rate: 66%.

Pioneer semester of Operation STEM, Fall 2013, surpassed that rate by 15%.

Fall 2013 Precalculus I pass rate: 81%

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

MTH 167 Pre-calculus I Pass Rates by TermTerm Enrollment *

Withdrawals(Percentage

&Number )

Pass Rate(Percentage & Number Passed

with C or >)Fall 2007 140 14% (19) 49% (69)

Spring 2008 105 9% (9) 50% (52)

Fall 2008 138 19% (26) 46% (64)

Spring 2009 126 17% (21) 49% (62)

Fall 2009 134 16% (21) 51% (68)

Spring 2010 121 17% (21) 60% (73)

Fall 2010 122 16% (20) 56% (68)

Spring 2011 94 23% (22) 51% (48)

Fall 2011 127 17% (22) 57% (72)

Spring 2012 73 30% (22) 40% (29)

Fall 2012 134 9% (12) 66% (89)

Spring 2013 93 13% (12) 57% (53)

Fall 2013** 152 5% (8) 81% (123)

*Includes all official and unofficial withdrawals for MTH 167.

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

MTH 167 Precalculus I Fall 2013 Pass Rate by Section

*Enrollment of OpSTEM Scholars in Precalc I section.**Includes official and unofficial students who withdrew from the course.

Fall 2013 MTH 167 Section

OpSTEM

Section(Enroll-ment*)

PBL Sect.

CourseEnroll-ment**

%/No. Withdraws # Who

Took Final &

Completed the Course

Pass Rate(Percentag

e C or >)

Official

Un-official

9:45am–10:50am MWF 11:00am–12:05pm • SPT/PBL-

MW

YES(13)

YES

37 3%(1)

14%(4)

3284%(31)

4:00pm – 5:50pm MW6:00pm-7:00pm • SPT/PBL-

MW

YES(8)

YES

28 4%(1)

11%(3)

2482%(23)

1:30pm – 2:35pm MWF3:00pm – 4:00pm • SPT-MW

YES(8)

NO 32 16%(5)

0%(0)

2772%(23)

2:45pm-3:50 MWF4:00pm-5:00pm • SLA-MW NO NO 25

4%(1)

0%(0)

2484%(21)

8:00am-9:50am TTH10:00am-11:00am • SLA-TTH NO NO 30

0%(0)

7%(2)

2883%(25)

TOTALS 3/5 2/5 1525%(8)

6%(9)

13581%(123)

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

MTH 167 Precalculus I Fall 2013 Performance of OpSTEM Cohort

Cohort# of

Students*

%/Number

of Withdra

ws

Mean FinalExamScore

Mean CourseGrade

Pass Rate (Percentag

e & Number of Studentswith C or

>)

Moved on to

Precalc IIMTH 168

OpSTEMS*** 29 0%(0) 79% 85% 90%

(26) 24**

Non-OpSTEMS 123 6.5%

(8) 71% 78% 79%(97) 88

*Includes all official and unofficial students who withdrew from the course.** Changed major, difficult high school-freshman transition, life challenges, etc.*** Students who attended the Summer Institute

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

MTH 167 Precalculus I Fall 2013 Performance of OpSTEM Cohort

Cohort# of

Students*

%/Number of

Withdraws

Mean FinalExamScore

Mean Cours

eGrade

Pass Rate (Percentag

e & Number of Studentswith C or

>)

OpSTEMScholars

**

PBL 21 0%(0) 79% 84% 86%

(18)

Non-

PBL8 0%

(0) 80% 88% 100%(8)

Non-OpSTEMScholars

PBL 44 5%(2) 69% 79% 82%

(36)

Non-

PBL79 8%

(6) 73% 78% 77%(61)

*Includes all official and unofficial students who withdrew from the course.** Students who attended the Summer Institute

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

2013 MTH 167 Precalculus I Survey Feedback

If you took another mathematics course,

would you take it with or without the SPT session?

34%

WITH

WITHOUT

66%

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

2013 MTH 167 Precalculus I Survey Feedback

Did you benefit from the SPT/SLA sessions?

YES NO

83%

17%

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

Impacts of Operation STEMSTEM Peer Teachers (SPTs)

• confidence in teaching abilities

• expanded understanding of topics

• hands-on training

• contact hours

• collaboration with professors

• designing lessons

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

Impacts of Operation STEMStudents

Questions we asked students:

• How has Operation STEM impacted your math career?

• How well do you think you would have done in PreCalculus I without the assistance provided by Operation STEM?

• How has Operation STEM impacted your life outside of your math career?

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

How has Operation STEM impacted your math career?

Impacts of Operation STEM - Students

•“Having multiple people in the classroom allowed me to get my questions answered quickly and with different explanations.” – Precalculus Student

•“With Operation STEM it has made it easier to follow along in class, often in college classes many students don’t get the help they need but everyone does in SPT classes!” – Operation STEM Scholar

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

How has Operation STEM impacted your math career?

Impacts of Operation STEM - Students

“It has made me consider math as my major!” – Operation STEM Scholar

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

How well do you think you would have performed in PreCalculus I without the assistance provided

by Operation STEM?

Impacts of Operation STEM - Students

“Operation STEM provides a one-on-one hands on learning experience that is extremely helpful. Without them, I’d do mediocre.” – Precalculus Student

•“I feel as though my motivation would not even compare to the motivation I have now.” – Operation STEM Scholars

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

How has Operation STEM impacted your life outside of your math career?

• “Mainly, I don’t stress about the material like I used to. Operation STEM gave me back the confidence in the material and even some in myself.”

~Precalculus Student

Impacts of Operation STEM - Students

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

How has Operation STEM impacted your life outside of your math career?

Impacts of Operation STEM - Students

“I am a better problem solver and I am looking for multiple ways to calculate problems I come across, instead of just focusing on just one way I was taught previously.” – Operation STEM Scholar

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

How has Operation STEM impacted your life outside of your math career?

Impacts of Operation STEM - Students

“I have gained confidence in my ability to do college work and I have made great friends.” – Operation STEM Scholar

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

Observed, Unique Characteristics of OpSTEM Scholars

• Sense of community has been established in lecture, SPT session, and on campus

• Support and look out for one another

• Evident tone of overall strong, focused work ethic in class

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

Observed, Unique Characteristics of OpSTEM Scholars

• Feel special (social activities and special opportunities)

• Cohort has bonded (due to Summer Institute, OpSTEM Scholars placed in same Precalculus sections, social activities)

Operation STEM

Cleveland State

University

February 22, 2014

Thank you! Questions?

“Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress; working hard for something we love is called passion.”

~Simon Sinek, Notes to Inspire