iApply

Early, Active Teaching/Learning Curriculum Transformation

STEM VR Course Reform-Faculty Training

• Curriculum Reform: Transform the University’s STEM education platform from a traditional discipline defined model to a more active, hands-on model that meets the needs of STEM employers and graduate research programs. Institutionalize reformed teaching and learning strategies by including enhanced methods of delivery and interaction such as VR environments within critical gateway science courses such as principles of chemistry, principles of biology, principles of forensic science, introductory physics, and organic chemistry. Towards this end, we will implement academic year and summer training for faculty in STEM VR curriculum enhancement.
• Goal: Each year recruit STEM VR course reform faculty from the pool of 7 Faculty Awareness and Commitment to Excellence (FACE) Training Program being trained each year. In 5 years, train 11 faculty in VR training to develop 9 introductory lab courses.
• Expected Outcomes: ~1500 STEM students will be enrolled in 9 reformed VR lab courses. The reforming the lab courses with VR and other active learning approaches will increase student success at the next level of education.

Transform Faculty 2024

Teresa I. Shakespeare Ph.D
Chair, Biology
Department of Biological Sciences

Veena Thapliyal
Lecturer of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science

Dr Lina Merchan
Associate Professor of Physics
Department of Engineering Technology

Manoj Prasad
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science

Student-Centered, Applied, Interdisciplinary Research Training

Trainee Selection: Seventy-five (75) talented trainees (15/yr) will be selected each Spring to engage in a comprehensive academic year and summer training program incorporating the traditional elements of SSU’s well established training programs.

Scholar Recruitment: Fifteen (15) talented iApply Scholars were selected to engage in a comprehensive academic year and summer training program [GPA: >2.8; Stipend:  ($4.500-AY: $1500; Summer: $3,000 + free campus housing-8 weeks)

Interdisciplinary Applied STEM Research Training:  The objective is to strengthen SSU’s traditional undergraduate research training model through team-based applied/interdisciplinary training approach, involving 3 teams of 5 merit scholars each, led by multi-disciplinary faculty teams

Expected outcomes: Increase in applied/interdisciplinary student/faculty research. The students will:

• Explore useful applications of scientific theory
• Communicate more fluidly across scientific disciplines
• Demonstrate competency in the ability to search and use scientific literature
• Use scientific literature to support the presentation of research results
• Demonstrate harmonious teamwork with accountability
• Master and apply specialized scientific techniques towards the development of a useful and relevant product

Faculty Awareness and Commitment to Excellence (FACE) Training Program and Teaching & Learning Resource Archive

Faculty Training & Professional Development
FACE will provide self-reflective professional development and education research support for 35 STEM faculty (5 cohorts; each cohort 7 faculty) to inspire and sustain continuous curriculum reforms to meet the needs of our undergraduates. STEM faculty will be provided with the necessary tools required to continuously refresh and reform teaching and learning environments with the goal of strengthening the ability of our students to be dynamic learners, thinkers, and creative innovators, well prepared to be productive members of the scientific community.

FACE Faculty Teaching & Learning Resources Archive
Each year successful faculty teaching and learning implementation projects will be documented and archived on the iApply web site as a resource for SSU faculty, as well as the academic community at large.

Objectives:

1. Update STEM course curriculum, refresh and reform teaching and learning environments
2. Facilitate strengthening the ability of students to be dynamic learners, thinkers, and creative innovators, well prepared to be productive members of the scientific community.

Chellu S Chetty Ph.D.: Principal Investigator
Regents Distinguished Professor of Biology (Retired)
Department of Biological Sciences
[email protected]912.358.4277

Dr. Teresa Shakespeare: Co-Pi
Chair Biology
Department of Biological Sciences
[email protected]912.358.4436

Mr. Alex Pierce: iApply Program Coordinator
[email protected]912.358.4445

Mr. Anthony Palacios: Virtual Reality Immersive
Technology Research Assistant
[email protected]912.358.3825

Led by Dr. Phyllis Blumberg, the research study will test the hypothesis that reforming introductory lab courses with VR and other active learning approaches will improve student learning. The research study will compare student learning results compiled in year 1 (control group before lab reform) with student learning outcomes in years 2-5 for the 1576 students who enroll in reformed labs.

Lead By:
Dr. Phyllis Blumberg-Education Consultant & Mentor for Faculty Participants
Dr. Lisa Yount-SSU Faculty Education Research Coordinator
Workshops (virtual-Webex) conducted: Monthly (since the beginning of project)

Participant Faculty:
Veena Thapliyal: Chemistry: General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Labs
Teresa Shakespeare/Aleesa Johnson: Biology: General Biology Labs
Manoj Prasad: Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Lab

Staff
Anthony Palacios, VR Technology Research Assistant