Targeted infusion project: FMU stem (nuclear and pre-engineering) programs - improving retention and graduation rates of minority students in stem/nuclear disciplines

This National Science Foundation (NSF) Project Grant award, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076), provides $399,900 to Florida Memorial University, Inc. to improve the retention and graduation rates of minority students in STEM and nuclear science disciplines. The project aims to accomplish this by:

1. Improving the STEM and nuclear laboratory infrastructure and teaching competencies at the university;
2. Creating a professor and student-led learning community; and
3. Providing academic year and summer research experiences for students enrolled in STEM and nuclear courses.

The project period runs from August 15, 2024 to July 31, 2027 and is expected to serve as an attractive model for other Minority Serving Institutions nationwide to address the national shortage of diverse, skilled STEM professionals, particularly in nuclear science fields.

Abstract

The historically black colleges and universities undergraduate program (hbcu-up) through targeted infusion projects supports the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based, innovative models and approaches for improving the preparation and success of hbcu undergraduate students so that they may pursue science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (stem) graduate programs and/or careers. The goal of this project is to improve the retention and graduation rates for students historically underrepresented in stem fields, particularly those with an interest in nuclear science, at florida memorial university. The project aims to accomplish this goal by 1) improving the stem and nuclear laboratory infrastructure, and teaching competencies in the stem and nuclear programs; 2) creating a professor and student-led learning community; and 3) providing academic year and summer research experiences for students enrolled in stem and nuclear courses. Implementing these activities will enable students to improve their critical thinking skills through early research exposure and supplemental instruction, including mentoring. The project will serve as an attractive model for minority serving institutions throughout the nation and address the national shortage of diverse, skilled stem professionals, particularly in nuclear science fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.