ERIC Number: EJ1253380
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: N/A
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1052-5505
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Challenge Accepted: Doing STEM the Spirit Lake Dakota Way
Ziegenmeyer, Heidi
Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education, v31 n3 Spr 2020
Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) is a tribally controlled institution of higher learning that always has its eye on cultural inclusion, whether in STEM or any other program. The mathematics program at CCCC is the underlying force that ties everything together. Each of the Associate of Science degree programs requires that students pass college-level math, whether college algebra or statistics. Most of the students who come to CCCC struggle with math, the college has made necessary adjustments. All new students, for example, are tested to determine the level of instruction needed and are then placed into the appropriate course level. Through an National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, "Increasing Capacity and Enhancing Tribal Innovation (ICE-TI)," CCCC has expanded and improved classroom technology and materials for an online, self-paced developmental math sequence. Students can accelerate through remedial math coursework and still attain college-level math credit more quickly than following a traditional pace. This results in access to and completion of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) degrees in a much shorter time period than the traditional course sequence. Although self-paced, the math sequence is implemented with multiple support systems in place to increase student self-efficacy, confidence, and success. The college has allotted classroom time with instructors, scheduled open math lab hours with instructors and peer tutors, devised incentives for successful course completion, and created options for students who have been out for a semester or longer to continue their education without repeating coursework. Students even get paid for their participation in ICE-TI research, all of which is aimed at determining the success of project efforts. ICE-TI has provided a much-needed STEM foundation for students, enhancing success and access in all fields offered at CCCC.
Descriptors: STEM Education, American Indian Students, Community Colleges, College Science, Experiential Learning, College Mathematics, Environmental Education, Culturally Relevant Education, Outdoor Education
Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education. P.O. Box 720, Mancos, CO 81328. Tel: 888-899-6693; Fax: 970-533-9145; Web site: http://www.tribalcollegejournal.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: North Dakota
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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