Session R7: Physics Education Student Retention

From Start to Finish: Retention of Physics Undergraduates

The University of Maryland Physics Department's NSF Scholarships in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) project is a unique program that aims to reduce the attrition of students that occurs in the ``pre-major-to-major'' gap -- i.e., students who begin at the university intending to study physics, but do not graduate with a physics degree. To increase the retention of admitted students, the UMD S-STEM program is designed to provide student with financial assistance, a strong sense of community, academic support, and career planning. We will discuss how the program has been integrated into the curriculum and culture of the physics department, and focus on developing key components of the program: a nurturing environment, dedicated mentorship, early research experience, and professional development.   

GRAD-MAP: A Joint Physics and Astronomy Diversity Initiative at the University of Maryland

Graduate Resources for Advancing Diversity with Maryland's Astronomy and Physics (GRAD-MAP), builds connections between UMD and mid-Atlantic HBCUs, Minority-Serving Institutions, and community colleges, and uses seminars, forums, and workshops to foster a diverse community of undergraduates prepared to succeed in graduate school, and is now in its third year. GRAD-MAP launched with a three-pronged approach: 1) Collaborative Seminars, 2) A Winter Workshop, and 3) A Spring Symposium. This program allows GRAD-MAP to do more than just increase the numbers of minority students participating in astronomy and physics research (or, worse, simply shuffle around students who already are or would be); it is committed to identifying students who are otherwise underserved or overlooked by the traditional academic pipeline, not only to get them on the path to be successful undergraduate researchers and eventual graduate applicants, but also to make the climate of academic physics and astronomy more inclusive to them and all other underrepresented minority students. We will describe the key elements of our program, and highlight successes and lessons learned; GRAD-MAP can serve as a model for other universities committed to diversity and inclusion.   

Explaining the Gender Gap: Comparing Undergraduate and Graduate/Faculty Beliefs about Talent Required for Success in Academic Fields

Recent research has proposed that the gender gap in academia is caused by differing perceptions of how much talent is needed to succeed in various fields. It was found that, across the STEM/non-STEM divide, the more that graduate students and faculty see success in their own field as requiring as requiring talent, the fewer women participate in that field. This research examines whether undergraduate students share these attitudes. If these attitudes trickle down to the undergraduate population to influence students to choose different fields of study, then undergraduate beliefs should reflect those of graduate students and faculty. Using a large survey of undergraduates across the country, this study aims to characterize undergraduate attitudes and to determine variables that explain the differences between the attitudes of these two populations. Our findings suggest that the two populations have similar beliefs, but that undergraduate beliefs are strongly influenced by information about the gender ratio in each field and that this strong influence greatly differs between STEM and non-STEM fields. These findings seek to help direct future research to ask the right questions and propose plausible hypotheses about gender the imbalance in academia.   

Perception, Attitude and Instructional Preferences on Physics in High School Students: An Exploration in an International Setting

Questionnaire survey explored perception, attitude and instructional preferences with respect to gender and nationality in high school students of India and USA, a sample of 1101 Indian and 458 US students. Descriptive Statistics techniques were adopted for analysis. Male and female students in USA were at the high and low ends of the spectrum, respectively, in perception and attitude. Preference on instructional strategies was found to be independent of nationality, exposed strategies, opting science, class size and facilities. Responses from both countries indicate preference for an integrated instructional strategy that has strong teacher involvement in a student-centered framework. A thoughtful and properly designed instructional strategy could provide sufficient elements in modifying students' epistemological beliefs. Understanding the nature and process of physics along with a better learning outcome is usually not possible by administering student-centered or teacher-centered strategies alone in their purest form. This study provides adequate support in obtaining two equally significant but contrasting goals in Physics Education Research, to gain conceptual development with increased interest and attainment in learners, through integration.   

Examining the Needs and Dispositions of Sumter School District High School Students with Regards to Studying Physics, Part 1

Out of a total student population of 4740 in the Sumter School District (SSD) in Sumter, SC, only 167 were enrolled in a physics course in Spring 2015. That was 3.52\% of the total student population in the district. As advised by Lori Smith, Coordinator of Science and Fine Arts of SSD, enrollment in physics courses was insufficient. Since physics is the basis of all sciences and a prerequisite for engineering courses, not having enrolled and succeeded in a physics course during high school could impede a student’s success in such majors during college. This project aimed to examine the needs and dispositions of high school students in SSD with regards to studying physics by exploring the reasons behind their decisions to enroll or not enroll in a physics course during their high school careers. The project also found out how they believe their physics classes could be improved. This was achieved by conducting an electronic survey among voluntary participants from the seniors. A quantitative analysis of the results is presented. These results are intended to help to improve the physics program in SSD as well as shape The University of South Carolina— Sumter’s outreach efforts in the local high schools to encourage students to enroll in college physics courses.   

Examining the Needs and Dispositions of Sumter School District High School Students with Regards to Studying Physics, Part 2

Out of a total student population of 4740 in the Sumter School District (SSD) in Sumter, SC, only 167 were enrolled in a physics course in Spring 2015. That was 3.52\% of the total student population in the district. As advised by Lori Smith, Coordinator of Science and Fine Arts of SSD, enrollment in physics courses was insufficient. Since physics is the basis of all sciences and a prerequisite for engineering courses, not having enrolled and succeeded in a physics course during high school could impede a student’s success in such majors during college. This project aimed to examine the needs and dispositions of high school students in SSD with regards to studying physics by exploring the reasons behind their decisions to enroll or not enroll in a physics course during their high school careers. The project also found out how they believe their physics classes could be improved. This was achieved by conducting an electronic survey among voluntary participants from the seniors. A quantitative analysis of the results is presented. These results are intended to help to improve the physics program in SSD as well as shape The University of South Carolina— Sumter’s outreach efforts in the local high schools to encourage students to enroll in college physics courses.   

Examining the Needs and Dispositions of Sumter School District High School Students with Regards to Studying Physics, Part 3

Out of a total student population of 4740 in the Sumter School District (SSD) in Sumter, SC, only 167 were enrolled in a physics course in Spring 2015. That was 3.52\% of the total student population in the district. As advised by Lori Smith, Coordinator of Science and Fine Arts of SSD, enrollment in physics courses was insufficient. Since physics is the basis of all sciences and a prerequisite for engineering courses, not having enrolled and succeeded in a physics course during high school could impede a student’s success in such majors during college. This project aimed to examine the needs and dispositions of high school students in SSD with regards to studying physics by exploring the reasons behind their decisions to enroll or not enroll in a physics course during their high school careers. The project also found out how they believe their physics classes could be improved. This was achieved by conducting an electronic survey among voluntary participants from the seniors. A quantitative analysis of the results is presented. These results are intended to help to improve the physics program in SSD as well as shape The University of South Carolina— Sumter’s outreach efforts in the local high schools to encourage students to enroll in college physics courses.