University receives $2.9 million in grants
Laura Uhlmansiek
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: News
The National Science Foundation awarded the University nearly $3 million in grants.
These grants are meant to draw more community college students to Truman and provide more research opportunities for both potential and current Truman students.
A $2 million grant will fund programs designed to increase the number of degrees Truman awards in the science and mathematics field for the next five years. A $900,000 grant will fund a five-year undergraduate research program that will bring together faculty and students to research questions that involve mathematical and biological sciences, according to Truman press releases.
"The competition was very strong, but we submitted really good proposals," said Jeffrey Osborn, associate professor of biology.
The $2 million dollar STEP grant, so called because it was awarded through the NSF's Division of Undergraduate Education's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program, is divided into three parts: the Bridge Program, Undergraduate Research Program and Curriculum Enrichment Program.
The Bridge program aimes to attract students from three participating Missouri community colleges interested in the math, science and technology fields at Truman. Students from Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City (Missouri), St. Charles Community College and Moberly Area Community College can apply when they apply to Truman, Osborn said.
The University already was discussing articulation agreements, which help students transfer credits from a community college, so it was natural for the University to invite these institutions to participate, he said.
"Historically, we have not had a lot transfer students coming into the science and math areas overall, but especially not from community colleges," he said. "... This is an opportunity to, number one, recruit high-quality students to come here, and, number two, when they get here, to ensure their success."
The program aims each year to include a minimum of 20 students who may attend an orientation week in the fall, be assigned a professor as their mentor, attend workshops, receive undergraduate research support and be eligible to receive a $2,000 forgivable loan.
Jane Roads, chairwoman of math and science divisions at Moberly Area Community College, said many students from the college don't apply to Truman.
"I think the attempt by Truman, especially with this Bridge program, where they're including them with research in saying, 'You know you are welcome here, and this is an available option for you,' is going to make a big difference," she said.
Martha Haehl, math instructor at Metropolitan Community College, said she thinks the program will help Truman recruit students.
"I think that one reason that our students don't come is location," she said. "Because a lot of our students are from Kansas City, and they either end up in UMKC or even some other four-year college in town."
Truman students and students from the community colleges may apply for the Undergraduate Research Program, in which they research with a faculty mentor for 10 weeks in the summer, Osborn said. The program aims to help a minimum of 15 students by providing room and board, a stipend, research supplies, three credit hours and travel expenses to a professional conference.
Curriculum Enrichment is designed to help professors of science, mathematics and technology integrate research and teaching and develop interdisciplinary courses and curricula through the purchase of classroom and laboratory technology and through meetings, workshops and an annual retreat, Osborn said.
The $900,000 UBM grant was awarded to the University through NSF's Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biological and Mathematical Sciences program. The program will support at least four teams of two students and two faculty members each year.
Students interested in the Undergraduate Research Program may apply in January 2005 at http://step.truman.edu. Students can access http://mathbio.truman.edu to learn more about the UBM program. The application form will be available later this month, Osborn said.
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These grants are meant to draw more community college students to Truman and provide more research opportunities for both potential and current Truman students.
A $2 million grant will fund programs designed to increase the number of degrees Truman awards in the science and mathematics field for the next five years. A $900,000 grant will fund a five-year undergraduate research program that will bring together faculty and students to research questions that involve mathematical and biological sciences, according to Truman press releases.
"The competition was very strong, but we submitted really good proposals," said Jeffrey Osborn, associate professor of biology.
The $2 million dollar STEP grant, so called because it was awarded through the NSF's Division of Undergraduate Education's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program, is divided into three parts: the Bridge Program, Undergraduate Research Program and Curriculum Enrichment Program.
The Bridge program aimes to attract students from three participating Missouri community colleges interested in the math, science and technology fields at Truman. Students from Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City (Missouri), St. Charles Community College and Moberly Area Community College can apply when they apply to Truman, Osborn said.
The University already was discussing articulation agreements, which help students transfer credits from a community college, so it was natural for the University to invite these institutions to participate, he said.
"Historically, we have not had a lot transfer students coming into the science and math areas overall, but especially not from community colleges," he said. "... This is an opportunity to, number one, recruit high-quality students to come here, and, number two, when they get here, to ensure their success."
The program aims each year to include a minimum of 20 students who may attend an orientation week in the fall, be assigned a professor as their mentor, attend workshops, receive undergraduate research support and be eligible to receive a $2,000 forgivable loan.
Jane Roads, chairwoman of math and science divisions at Moberly Area Community College, said many students from the college don't apply to Truman.
"I think the attempt by Truman, especially with this Bridge program, where they're including them with research in saying, 'You know you are welcome here, and this is an available option for you,' is going to make a big difference," she said.
Martha Haehl, math instructor at Metropolitan Community College, said she thinks the program will help Truman recruit students.
"I think that one reason that our students don't come is location," she said. "Because a lot of our students are from Kansas City, and they either end up in UMKC or even some other four-year college in town."
Truman students and students from the community colleges may apply for the Undergraduate Research Program, in which they research with a faculty mentor for 10 weeks in the summer, Osborn said. The program aims to help a minimum of 15 students by providing room and board, a stipend, research supplies, three credit hours and travel expenses to a professional conference.
Curriculum Enrichment is designed to help professors of science, mathematics and technology integrate research and teaching and develop interdisciplinary courses and curricula through the purchase of classroom and laboratory technology and through meetings, workshops and an annual retreat, Osborn said.
The $900,000 UBM grant was awarded to the University through NSF's Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biological and Mathematical Sciences program. The program will support at least four teams of two students and two faculty members each year.
Students interested in the Undergraduate Research Program may apply in January 2005 at http://step.truman.edu. Students can access http://mathbio.truman.edu to learn more about the UBM program. The application form will be available later this month, Osborn said.