Title III
Funded through Title III, the emphasis of this project is on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This multi-faceted project targets individual fields in each project year.
Key elements are:
- STEM direction summits
- Instructional technology
- Lab instrumentation
- Course revision
- Academic Support
- Advising services
- Pilots of new capabilities
- STEM summer academics
- Academic year student research projects
- Learning inquiries
- Facilities renovation
The goal of the PCCUA’s STEM project, a project made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, is to strengthen educational techniques in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics thereby increasing STEM success and enrollment. Attainment of these goals will transpire through various approaches including increased faculty development, instructional and lab equipment upgrades, student research projects, summer STEM academies for PCCUA students, improved academic support, enhanced advising strategies, and course revisions to increase engagement in learning. Under the STEM grant, PCCUA will develop, pilot-test, and evaluate new practices in math, life and physical sciences, chemistry, and computer and renewable energy technologies. A STEM Success Center is currently being created to house services and support, and the STEM instructional area on the Helena-West Helena campus is being renovated to improve safety, accessibility, and instructional effectiveness. The STEM program recognizes that the preparation of the globally-competitive workforce, including future teachers, and a scientifically literate populace requires excellent STEM education and supports the improvement of the undergraduate STEM education enterprise through funding research on design, development, and wide-spread implementation of effective STEM learning and teaching knowledge and practice, as well as foundational research on student learning.