P16 - STARTing and Staying in STEM - An Undergraduate Research Program at a Community College

Program Abstract: At Wake Technical Community College, one of the ways we have focused on students' STEM development is by providing faculty-mentored undergraduate research experience, START (STEM Academic Research & Training). This faculty-driven initiative pairs students with community college faculty or community partners to conduct research in STEM. By engaging in this research experience students learn from a variety of scientific, mathematic, and real-world experiences. We seek to reduce common barriers for students who are historically excluded from research opportunities. Through funding by the NSF (DUE-2133600), the program has been able to expand by compensating students and mentors as well as conducting a random control trial to evaluate the program on STEM persistence. Administrative data from the college and an original survey are sources of data for the evaluation. Preliminary data shows positive impacts on persistence, credits earned, student confidence in research, sense of belonging in STEM fields, and increased participant diversity.