COLLEGE OVERVIEW

Lawson State Community College (LSCC) is one of 31 colleges in the Alabama College System which has a mix of comprehensive community, junior and technical colleges.  In 1947, the Alabama Legislature passed the Regional Vocational and Trade Shop Act, which approved the creation of five regional trade schools.  Lawson began in 1949 as a result of the Regional Act (also known as the Wallace-Patterson Trade School Act of 1947).  In the 1960s, additional institutions were created to respond to the growing need for skills training across the state.  During the 1963 legislative session, a state network of technical and junior colleges was approved to enhance the quality of postsecondary education by making it accessible and affordable (Education Commission of the States 2002).  The college moved from a technical institute to a junior college.  In 1973, three technical colleges and two junior colleges were designated as comprehensive community colleges.  At that time, Lawson State became a community college.  Since its inception, it has had four presidents: T.A. Lawson, Leon Kennedy, Jessie Lewis, and, currently, Perry W. Ward.  The enrollment is approximately 3000 students for the 2004-2005 Academic Year.  This is a significant increase over the past year due to an increase in the number of Hispanic students attending LSCC.

Lawson State Community College is a comprehensive two-year college that provides its customers with the following options: preparation for transfer to a baccalaureate degree program at a four-year institution, preparation for immediate employment in the workforce, initial or retraining of professionals who want to enhance their skills in selected areas, and enjoyment of courses offered through the continuing education program.  Lawson’s student population is made up of 95% of the students from neighboring high schools (Wenonah, Carver, Jesse Lanier, Midfield, Fairfield, Parker, and Ramsey High Schools) where 80% of the students enter into Lawson State with one or more remedial courses in math, reading, or English.

STEP-UP in STEM Goals

The overarching goal of the STEP-UP in STEM Career Paths at LSCC is to increase the number of minority and underrepresented persons in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professions.  To achieve this goal Lawson State Community College proposes that faculty development; curriculum enhancement and undergraduate training are essential to obtaining this goal.  The goal will be met through involvement of faculty, students, and education partners.  An increase in STEM potential employees will help the National Science Foundation to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense.

Many of Lawson States STEM programs are targeting high school students.  These programs serve as catalysts in building an interest in STEM-related careers.  Although Lawson State’s infrastructure is continuing to develop positively, there is still a need for the college to focus on students who elect to continue at the community college-level in STEM related career paths.  Successful completion of the freshman and sophomore years is critical to a student’s academic success and career goals.  Failure of students to achieve academically in math/science course during the freshmen/sophomore years prevents students from performing at competitive levels in similar courses during their junior/senior years;  Therefore, students usually will opt out of those career paths and select others where they may experience some success.  Lawson State offers the students an opportunity to bridge their STEM experiences from high school to freshmen/sophomore levels and then to the four-year degree or career path.

More specifically, the goals of STEP-UP in STEM Career Paths to LSCC are:

Goal 1: Advance the professional development opportunities of the existing STEM Faculty at Lawson State Community College

 

Goal 2: Implement curriculum changes in the STEM courses at Lawson State Community College

 

Goal 3: Increase the number of African-American, Hispanics and women in the STEM career paths, annually.

Organizational Partners

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wildlife & Fresh Water Fisheries Division  

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provides resource materials and workshops that promote conservation.  Students took part in formal educational programs and field experiences that reconnect participants with Alabama's natural resources. 

Programs for conservation education included an excursion to Oak Mountain Park, Birmingham, AL; devoted to understanding the biological systems that inhabit Alabama state rivers, lakes and streams.

In addition, students were able to discuss the pathways to a career in natural resource conservation and research.

Dr. Sherri Davis

Teaching with Blackboard

ALSAMP (Alabama Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation)

Organizational Partner provided bridge opportunity for Lawson State Community College STEM students into ALSAMP.  Students are provided the opportunity to take advantage of financial resources and intern opportunities.

Giatina-Aycock Architectural Studios

Birmingham, AL 

Giatina-Aycock Architectural Studios provided an opportunity for students in STEM majoring in engineering an opportunity to gain insight in to future careers, such as: electrical, civil, architectural, and mechanical engineering.

Giatina-Aycock also provides internship opportunities for those pursuing a career in architecture.

The HBCU-UP Project has formed collaborations with Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md.  This relationship was established via Oak Ridge National Laboratory: Contracts and Grants Workshop.  The goal of this relationship is to establish a bridge program between Morgan State University and Lawson State Community College.  This Summer Morgan State and Lawson State are seeking to provide STEM students with internships in biological mathematics.

Research and Education Activities:

Currently, STEP-UP Student interns are engaged in research in the following areas:

Chaos Theory, Quantum Mechanics and the Theory of Relativity, String Theory, Super String Theory, Control Theory, Fermats Last Theorem, Twin Prime Conjecture, ABC Conjecture

It is STEP-Up’s goal to provide its interns with a legitimate foundation in research to assist in providing a bridge into four-year institutions.  The research opportunities are include internships with organizational partners and collaborators.

Our training and professional development has been a huge success, providing more than 10 workshop and conference opportunities to Lawson State’s STEM faculty. These opportunities includes STEP-UP in STEM Technology Workshop where STEM Faculty and Summer Enrichment Institute Teacher Consultants were the given the opportunity to enhance their Technical skills.  The workshops was designed and presented by STEM faculty and administration at Lawson State Community College.

Organizational Partners

STEM Faculty Development and Support

During the past year our STEP-UP STEM Faculty has taken advantage of many professional development opportunities around the country.  Listed are some of the workshops and activities our STEM faculty has engaged.

Calvin Briggs

Mimo in Mathematics

STEP-UP in STEM Technology Workshop

The STEP-UP in STEM Technology Workshop provided Lawson State STEM Faculty an opportunity to collaborate with area High Schools teachers for day of technology workshops.  The teachers selected for this workshop also serve as STEP-Up’s Summer Enrichment Institute (SEI) Teacher Consultants; the teacher consultants serve as recruiters for the SEI, encouraging students to consider majoring in a STEM field.  Allowing these teachers access to new tools and resources’ has increased student exposure to STEM related fields.      

ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Oak Ridge National Laboratory:

Day of Science/ Grants and Contracts Workshop 2006

Several representatives from the Lawson State Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics attended the “Day of Science”, sponsored by Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN.  The Day of Science provides exciting programs for faculty and students regarding opportunities for internship and research experiences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). ORNL is the Department of Energy’s (DOE) largest science and energy laboratory and annually hosts approximately 3,000 guest researchers.

Student representatives included math major, Naila Jama Jaraysi, accounting major, Jaleesa Miller and faculty representative, Mathematics Instructor, Mr. Calvin Briggs.  Over 35 institutions attended the prestigious event providing a great opportunity for students and faculty to network and share ideas.  Students participated in laboratory tours and panel discussions, providing greater insight into the objectives of a national laboratory.  In addition students interviewed with laboratory officials for paid internships, co-ops and full-time positions.

In addition, faculty, administrators, and research representatives attended The Minority Education Technical Assistance Workshop providing valuable information on competing funding, such as grant solicitations and collaborative opportunities with the Department of Energy and its contractors.

Our presence at Oak Ridge National Laboratory: Day of Science highlights Lawson State’s   commitment to seeking opportunities that promote academic growth, workforce and professional development, and academic partnerships among students, faculty and administration

Oak Ridge National Laboratory:

Day of Science/Grants and Contracts Workshop 2007

For the second consecutive year student and faculty representatives from the Lawson State Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics attended the “Day of Science”, sponsored by Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Knoxville, TN.  The Day of Science continues to provide programs that expose faculty and students to STEM research and internship opportunities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and around the country.

Student representatives included math major, Porsha Oakes, business major, Henry Danner, biology major, Sarah Robinson, applied science major and faculty representative, mathematics instructor and HBCU-UP/STEP-UP Program Director, Mr. Calvin Briggs.  Over 70 institutions attended the

In addition, faculty, administrators, and research representatives attended The Minority Education Technical Assistance Workshop providing valuable information on competing funding, such as grant solicitations and collaborative opportunities with the Department of Energy and its contractors.

Our presence at Oak Ridge National Laboratory: Day of Science highlights Lawson State’s   commitment to seeking opportunities that promote academic growth, workforce and professional development, and academic partnerships among students, faculty and administration.

Student Remarks

The Day of Science was a good experience for me. I learned that as people we must come up with different ideas and strategies to save the world. Many of us fail to realize the importance of a clean and health society. At the DOE Day of Science all of these areas were exposed and hopefully brighten the ideas of young people to invest into the future. I also enjoyed the diverse groups of minorities that came and enjoyed the events as well. I think the Day of Science could have been much better, but as they had stated this was their “experiment” that they were trying to get right. I believe if they might have displayed more hands on opportunities then the students will have seen more interested. In conclusion it was a very good experience for me because of the networking and the opportunity to say “I participated in something only a privileged few have the option of.” Nevertheless this will not be an event that I will not remember.

                                                                -Henry Danner, Biology Major

I really enjoyed myself at the conference. I didn't have that much appreciation or knowledge of anything dealing with science, but it helped me to understand and learn a lot about things I had no clue that scientists were even working on. I was really interested in the plan of building ITHER. I would definitely go again to see all the new technologies at work and to find out about new internships available. Thank you for the eye-opening opportunity.

                                                    -Sarah Robinson, Applied Science

I thoroughly enjoyed the DOE Day of Science Convention. I was surrounded by the very subjects that interest me the most and people who shared that interest. I was exposed to professors, scientist, recruiters, and engineers who all have a mutual love for math, science, and their challenges. Several scientists revealed to us future and existing projects that the Department of Energy is funding. I found nanotechnology and the production of nuclear energy to be particularly interesting. I also learned of many opportunities within the federal government for engineers and scientists, the benefits associated with those careers and internships, and the means to acquire them. That is information I plan on using in the near future

Alabama College Association

            Health Programs

            Teaching Strategies Workshop

            Personal Growth and Development

            Educational Technologies

Teaching for Intelligence: Believe to Achieve Conference

ALSAMP Scholar/Bridge to the Doctorate Conference

NSF Outreach Online Workshop

Sankofa Mentoring Program

University of Alabama Birmingham/Lawson State Community College Collaborative Meeting

National Science Foundation Joint Annual Meeting (JAM), August 13 – 16, 2007 Washington, D.C.

·              Framing the Work in STEM Mentoring Education Research   Projects

·              Education Outcomes and Best Practices

·              Post Award Management

·              Planning Strategically for STEM Mentoring: Institutional Reforms in  Academia

HBCU-UP SEIS 2007 Evaluation Capacity Building Workshop (September 5 & 6, 2007) Las Vegas, Nevada

·              Disseminate & review SEIS-2007

·              Innovative Data Collection Tools

·              Best Practices in Evaluation

·              Review your Academic Indicator Report (AIR-2006)

·              Network and Share Current Activities

HBCU-UP National Research Conference, October 3-8, 2007, Washington, D.C.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

The STEM Computer Lab has become an invaluable resource for STEM Faculty, students and STEM Collaborators.  The lab is equipped new dry erase boards, p.c. projectors, smart-boards and 30 workstations with the latest Microsoft operating system.  The workstations are internet accessible and are constantly upgraded with software such as geo sketch pad, Zap-O-Graph, and Virtual Dissection to assist instructors during lesson and to serve as learning tools for students.  During STEP-Up’s Summer Enrichment Program (SEI), the STEM Computer Lab serves as a central hub for instruction and exploration for our high school students. 

STEM RECRUITMENT AND TRANSITION PROGRAMS

The Summer Enrichment Institute is designed to provide high school students with a structured environment customized to enhance their academic performance in STEM courses, expose them to a variety of STEM Careers, and provide a bridge to college.

Forty-Five high school students participate in a variety of fun-filled, exciting and challenging activities that focus primarily on academic development, career development, and mentoring.

Activities are conducted using interactive group discussions, games, cooperative learning strategies, computer labs, invited guest speakers, videos, role playing, and hands-on approaches to help students apply a given strategy or concept.  Weekly field trips are also provided.

SEI Enrollment Requirements:

Minority (African-American, Hispanic, Native American)

Rising sophomore, junior or senior in high school with at least a 2.5 GPA

Commitment to completing the summer component of the program

Teacher Recommendations

STEM Student Support/Academic Development

The HBCU-UP Grant has provided the resources to devote an entire computer laboratory to the STEM Majors.  The lab consists of 30 state of the art work stations, internet access, dry ease boards and a p.c. projector for presentations.   All the workstations are equipped with a variety of learning resource to assist students in their STEM studies.   In additional to technical support, the lab is manned 10 hrs a day by several STEP-UP Interns; providing tutoring in all STEM related areas.  The lab is also available for student instruction by STEM Faculty. 

STEM Curricula Development/Enhancement

The use of a common final in Math 100 (Intermediate College Algebra), a change in text and delivery system through use of Thomson Now (online delivery system for mathematics from Brooks-Cole Publishing) has provided a significant change in Lawson States STEM curriculum.  These resources provides an instructor the option of providing quizzes, test, visual and audio resources online, reducing student anxiety and creating greater access for students.  The site provides students with a number of online resources; tutorials, ability to access STEM related text with hyperlinks to important concepts, formulas, vocabulary and simulations.  In addition, each STEM lecture room is furnished with a p.c. projector and internet access, allowing STEM Faculty the resources to optimize STEM connections via multimedia presentation.

Providing students greater access to technology and resources for STEM courses, assist in remediation and addresses tactile and visual learning styles.  The ability to inject seemly static material with stimulating audio and visual motivates students to learn.  The connections that are exhibited become less abstract, allowing students to gain a genuine understanding of the material, not just rote memorization.

During the fall 07 semester the Lawson State Community College Mathematics and Developmental Mathematics Departments met with Dr. Sherri Davis, Academic Dean, to discuss changes in the current developmental curriculum that would ensure greater success for students matriculating math 090 (basic mathematics), and math 098(pre-algebra).  The departmental collaboration yielded several curriculum changes that would allow developmental instructors hone in on more critical objectives and skills in the basic mathematics and pre-algebra curriculum.  In addition, vocabulary sets would be introduced simultaneously during matriculation in development reading (090 & 098) and developmental math (090 & 098).

By introducing aforementioned changes in the developmental curriculum it is our anticipation to increase the number of students successfully completing math 100(intermediate algebra), math 110 (Finite), math 112(pre-calculus I), and math 113(pre-calculus II).

STEP-UP in STEM Student Scholar Program

STEP-UP in STEM Student Scholar Program provides several student scholarships and internships for students entering STEM Majors.  Students are selected by a panel of STEM faculty based on the following criteria:

Member of an under represented minority in STEM career path (African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Female)

Graduating Senior Entering Lawson State Community College

At least an overall 2.7 GPA and a 2.9 in Major area of study

Commitment to completing the summer component of the program

Teacher Recommendations

STEP-UP interns are required to conduct research in a STEM related area of their choosing; guided by STEM Faculty.  Interns are required to present to their peers, faculty and a research conference.  In addition, Interns provide tutoring services to Lawson State Community College students and area high school students. In addition interns and scholars must complete off-site internship annually.

STEP-UP interns engage in the aforementioned activities and programs.  Recruitment is ongoing and is contingent on available funding.  STEP-UP anticipates a 15% - 20% increase annually. 

Chaos Theory, Quantum Mechanics and the Theory of Relativity, String Theory, Super String Theory, Control Theory, Fermats Last Theorem, Twin Prime Conjecture, ABC Conjecture

It is STEP-Up’s goal to provide its interns with a legitimate foundation in research to assist in providing a bridge into four-year institutions.  The research opportunities include internships with organizational partners and collaborators.

Intern’s annual award is hourly pay for tutoring and research.  Students receiving STEP-UP in STEM scholarships receive full tuition and a $300 per semester book stipend.   Interns receive an average annual stipend of $6000.

Recently two of our interns have transitioned to four-year institutions, Jerryn Medly and Naila Jama Jaraysi.  Jerryn is currently enrolled at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL, majoring in environmental research.  Naila Jama Jaraysi is currently completing her first semester at the University of Alabama Birmingham, majoring in mathematics. 

Faculty Proposals/Mini-Grants

Faculty is encouraged to write proposals that support the goals of STEP-UP in STEM.  The proposals are important to ongoing professional development of STEM Faculty, curriculum expansion and enhancement, and the recruitment and exposure of student to STEM majors and career paths.