Findings from the first two years of the First2 Network.

Authors

  • Sue Ann Heatherly Green Bank Observatory
  • Sarah Starcovic Fairmont State University
  • Rebecca Rutherford Fairmont State University
  • Erica Harvey Fairmont State University
  • Kathryn Williamson West Virginia University
  • Joanna Burt-Kinderman Pocahontas County Schools
  • Sarah Riley High Rocks Educational Corporation
  • Caitlin Howley ICF

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55632/pwvas.v91i1.566

Keywords:

first-generation, rural, STEM, retention, NSF INCLUDES

Abstract

Nationally, more than half of all college students who declare a major in STEM fields drop out or change their majors in the first two years of post-secondary education.  Among first-generation college students in West Virginia this number may approach 70%.
   The First2 STEM Success Network, an NSF INCLUDES Alliance, is a cross-sector effort aimed at improving the college enrollment rate and success of undergraduate STEM students, with emphasis on rural first-generation students in West Virginia. At the core of our shared vision is the inclusion of students themselves as co-creators of the solutions.  
   First2 is an outgrowth of a two-year pilot project funded by the National Science Foundation in 2016. During the pilot, we began to create and test interventions that address the underlying reasons for attrition in STEM majors, and to develop a preliminary research program to better understand rural first-generation STEM students, a population for which there is scant existing research.
   We engaged 36 rural first-generation students in some combination of early STEM research experiences, an online discovery-based "principles of research and development" college seminar, a “hometown ambassador” program, and leadership training. We also developed and administered an online survey to an additional 101 first generation students attending West Virginia University and Fairmont State University.
   This presentation describes the research and evaluation findings from the pilot project and implications for the Network moving forward.
   The First2 Network Design and Development Pilot Project was supported by National Science Foundation INCLUDES Award No. 1649323.

Author Biographies

Sarah Starcovic, Fairmont State University

Undergraduate chemistry major

Rebecca Rutherford, Fairmont State University

Undergraduate chemistry major

Erica Harvey, Fairmont State University

Abelina Suarez Professor of Chemistry

Kathryn Williamson, West Virginia University

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Joanna Burt-Kinderman, Pocahontas County Schools

Math Coach

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Published

2019-03-20

How to Cite

Heatherly, S. A., Starcovic, S., Rutherford, R., Harvey, E., Williamson, K., Burt-Kinderman, J., Riley, S., & Howley, C. (2019). Findings from the first two years of the First2 Network. Proceedings of the West Virginia Academy of Science, 91(1). https://doi.org/10.55632/pwvas.v91i1.566

Issue

Section

Meeting Abstracts-Poster