ASPIRES

Overview

Advisement and Scholarship Promoting Inquiry-based Research Experiences in STEM (ASPIRES) has two interrelated goals: (1) increase the retention rate of students in STEM disciplines; and (2) improve student academic achievement in introductory science and mathematics courses for STEM majors. ASPIRES action items focus on inquiry-based active learning, student support and academic achievement, student/faculty engagement, and faculty professional development. A significant feature is the inclusive cycle of student involvement from the freshman to senior years.

Goal 1: Increase Retention of STEM Students

• Implement Intrusive Advising to promote faculty/student interaction and to guide students
• Engage students through STEM Student Learning Communities
• Promote and implement undergraduate research opportunities for freshmen

Goal 2: Improve Academic Achievement in Science and Math Courses

• Initiate Supplemental Instruction to promote student academic achievement
• Incorporate Guided Inquiry to engage students through active learning, critical thinking, and problem solving

• ASPIRES Brochure
• Poster Presentation, March 2010 STEP PI Meeting

If you are interested in finding out more about the ASPIRES Program or have additional questions, you can contact:

Dr. Christine Whitlock 
ASPIRES Program Director and Professor, Department of Chemistry
E-mail: cwhitlock@georgiasouthern.edu
Office: (912) 478-5681

ASPIRES is funded through NSF-STEP grant DUE-0622460

Requirements

Science and Mathematics majors will have an opportunity to participate in undergraduate research under the direction of a faculty mentor. Students who entered Georgia Southern University as a freshman during the prior academic year (spring, summer or fall) are eligible. Participants will be selected by a competitive process, and will receive a summer stipend.

Requirements for ASPIRES Participants:

Student qualifications for research positions are as follows:

• Must be a COSM major (Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, and Physics)
• Entered Georgia Southern University during the prior academic year (spring, summer or fall)
• Good academic standing (minimum GPA of 2.0)
• Not a current COUR or REU recipient

Summer 2011 Recipients

Summer 2010 Recipients

Summer 2009 Recipients

Supplemental Instruction

Supplemental Instruction will be offered for introductory science and math courses. Course offerings include:

• BIOL 2107 – Principles of Biology I
• BIOL 2108 – Principles of Biology II
• CHEM 1145 – Principles of Chemistry I
• CHEM 1146 – Principles of Chemistry II
• MATH 1112 – Trigonometry
• MATH 1113 – Pre-Calculus
• MATH 1441 – Calculus I
• MATH 2242 – Calculus II
• PHYS 2211 – Principle of Physics I
• PHYS 2212 – Principle of Physics II

Each section will have a one-hour SI period, based on the Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) process workshop model. Students who have successfully completed a course will be invited to become peer leaders. Lead faculty in each department will develop materials to be used by the peer leaders.

ASPIRES is funded through NSF-STEP grant DUE-0622460

Guided Inquiry

Guided Inquiry will be implemented in introductory science and math classes as part of a shift to student-centered learning in active-learning environments. The inquiry-based initiatives in each science or math discipline will include different approaches, each within the Guided Inquiry framework.

• Chemistry I and II (CHEM 1145 and 1146 classes) will incorporate Guided Inquiry in the labs, and use the POGIL or other active learning approach in lecture
• Physics I and II (PHYS 2211 and 2212 classes) will be taught with the studio approach that integrates lecture and laboratory
• Biology I and II will emphasize problem-based learning in the course pedagogy and small, break-out groups during lecture periods
• Calculus I and II (MATH 1441 and 1442), pre-Calculus (MATH 1113) and Trigonometry (MATH 1112) will employ cooperative, inquiry-based learning and the use of realistic applications

ASPIRES is funded through NSF-STEP grant DUE-0622460