Preparing Students for STEM Research at the Lyman Briggs College

Abstract: This paper is co-authored by Ryan D. Sweeder, PhD and Philip E. Strong, PhD of Lyman Briggs College, a residential college at Michigan State University. This paper is included in the conference proceedings for the ASQ 2012 Advancing the STEM Agenda Conference at UW-Stout July 16-17, 2012.

Fifteen students were participants in a scholarship program which actively engaged them in the exploration of a range of science careers (from their 2nd through 4th year). Through interviews and reflective essays, we found that they did not initially understand 1) the expectations of a research based science career, 2) how to advance on a path necessary to reach a career, and 3) the breadth of potential science careers. These deficiencies suggest steps for overcoming these common problems and in the process increasing the retention of students in science fields.

Keywords: STEM - Conference Proceedings - Higher Education Brief - Student Support - Survey results - Teaching Quality